Venezuelan political prisoners transferred to Tocuyito remain isolated and cut off

Human‑rights activists report that political prisoners moved from the El Helicoide detention centre in Caracas to the El Hombre Nuevo Libertador prison in Tocuyito, Carabobo, have been kept in isolation for more than a week. Authorities have not disclosed how many detainees were transferred or disclosed their identities.

The prisoners were placed in an area called “reflexión,” officially meant for initial psychological, physical and medical assessment, but activists say it is being used as a prolonged isolation mechanism that deprives detainees of contact with families and external observers. Nikoll Arteaga, a political spokesperson for Vente Venezuela, and Kennedy Tejeda of the Foro Penal warn of possible abuse, lack of medical evaluations, and shortages of basic supplies such as hygiene items, food and water.

The activists cite article 41 of Venezuela’s Organic Prison Code, which limits observation periods to 30 days, and claim the procedures are rarely observed. Earlier, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio announced that El Helicoide had been closed and no detainees remained there, a statement families of the prisoners rejected.