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Venezuela: Mother of political prisoner Varnei Vargas dies
Nexi Carrillo de Vargas has died following a prolonged illness, having spent her final year pleading for the release of her only son, Varnei Vargas. Vargas has been detained in Venezuela for nearly three years, having been moved from El Helicoide to the Yare II Penitentiary Center.
In video messages recorded while in critical health, Carrillo de Vargas directly appealed to Venezuela's Minister of Defense and former SEBIN director, Gustavo González López, to review her son's case. She asserted that her son's detention was political in nature.
Former deputy Américo De Grazia, who shared a cell with Vargas in El Helicoide, expressed condolences and alleged that Vargas was imprisoned after refusing to participate in extortion involving a general at PDVSA. Journalists have noted that authorities did not respond to the woman's repeated requests for her son's freedom prior to her death.
Entities
Américo De Grazia · Gustavo González López · Nexi Carrillo de Vargas · Varnei Vargas · Yare II Penitentiary Center
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Journalist Gabriel Bastidas reported that authorities ignored Carrillo de Vargas's pleas for her son's release. lapatilla.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] De Grazia alleged Vargas was imprisoned for refusing extortion by a general in PDVSA. monitoreamos.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nexi Carrillo de Vargas died on August 18 or 19, 2026, after facing health complications for over a year. laverdad.com · monitoreamos.com · lapatilla.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Carrillo de Vargas held Gustavo González López responsible for her son's detention, claiming it was political. laverdad.com · monitoreamos.com · lapatilla.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Varnei Vargas was transferred from El Helicoide to the Yare II Penitentiary Center. laverdad.com · monitoreamos.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Varnei Vargas has been detained for nearly three years. laverdad.com · monitoreamos.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Américo De Grazia expressed condolences for Carrillo de Vargas, noting they shared a cell in El Helicoide. laverdad.com · monitoreamos.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nexi Carrillo de Vargas requested the release of her son due to her declining health. laverdad.com · monitoreamos.com · lapatilla.com