Background on María Corina Machado
María Corina Machado is a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader and former member of the National Assembly. She has been a vocal critic of the Venezuelan government, particularly under President Nicolás Maduro. Machado is the founder and president of Vente Venezuela, a political party that aims to unite the opposition and work towards democratic change in Venezuela.
The Crisis Among Political Prisoners in Aragua
Alert from María Corina Machado:
María Corina Machado has raised concerns about the dire situation faced by political prisoners held at the Torocón prison in Aragua state. According to her, at least nine political detainees have attempted suicide in recent days due to the harsh treatment they endure and the resulting depression.
Conditions in Torocón Prison
Machado has described the conditions inside Torocón prison as inhumane, citing scarce and spoiled food infested with worms, limited visitation times, restricted phone calls to family members, and virtually no opportunities for personal hygiene.
Deaths of Citizens Under Maduro’s Custody
Recent Deaths of Political Prisoners:
In the past year, Machado has highlighted that at least six Venezuelans have died while under the custody of Nicolás Maduro’s regime. This grim statistic underscores the dire circumstances faced by political prisoners in Venezuela.
Number of Political Prisoners in Venezuela
Estimate by Foro Penal:
According to the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal, there are at least 815 political prisoners in Venezuela’s jails. However, this number includes cases where the whereabouts of opposition members remain unknown.
Call for International Assistance
Machado has appealed to the international community for help in addressing this humanitarian crisis. She aims to bring attention to the dire conditions faced by political prisoners and the urgent need for intervention.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is María Corina Machado? María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader and former member of the National Assembly. She founded Vente Venezuela, a political party focused on uniting the opposition and advocating for democratic change in Venezuela.
- What is the situation for political prisoners in Aragua? Political prisoners in the Torocón prison, located in Aragua state, are facing an inhumane situation with scarce food, limited visitation rights, restricted communication with family members, and poor hygiene conditions. At least nine prisoners have attempted suicide due to the harsh treatment and resulting depression.
- How many political prisoners are there in Venezuela? According to Foro Penal, an estimated 815 political prisoners are currently held in Venezuela’s jails. This number includes cases where the whereabouts of opposition members remain unknown.
- What has María Corina Machado done to address this issue? Machado has raised awareness about the crisis among political prisoners and called for international assistance to intervene and improve conditions. She has also highlighted the tragic deaths of at least six citizens under Maduro’s custody.
