Venezuela: Relatives of Political Prisoners Reach 72 Hours on Hunger Strike
The hunger strike began in Caracas on Saturday, February 14, when ten women joined the extreme measure.
HAVANA TIMES — A group of relatives of political prisoners has reached 72 hours on hunger strike outside the holding cells of the headquarters of Bolivarian National Police.
These individuals are demanding the release of their loved ones, something that National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez promised a few days ago but still has not fulfilled.
The protest began on Saturday, February 14, when ten women joined to carry out the extreme measure that the detainees themselves had adopted a day earlier, on Friday the 13th.
Family members have been camping at the site for weeks and decided to intensify their action with the hunger strike due to the lack of response from the state. National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez announced the release of all political prisoners on January 8 and reiterated the promise on February 6, but the releases did not occur in full.
The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners warned that the authorities’ indifference is putting the protesters’ lives at risk. In the meantime, two women suffered fainting spells and blood-pressure problems on Sunday, February 15.
Another mother fainted on Tuesday the 17th, according to reports. Authorities denied voluntary medical care to two prisoners inside. In addition, they suspended family visits for the relatives on hunger strike.
Over the weekend, 17 political prisoners were released hours after the hunger strike began, but many remained detained.
This group of detainees began its hunger strike on Friday and has therefore spent “more than 90 hours in this extreme protest measure,” said the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners. They further noted that on Monday police blocked the entry of hydrating IV fluids for the prisoners “without offering any explanation whatsoever.”
First published in Spanish by Efecto Cocuyo and translated and posted in English by Havana Times.