Venezuelan prison death sparks medical care concerns

The Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) has reported the death of inmate César Ramón Aguilera Villahermosa at the Internado Judicial de la Región Insular, commonly known as the Margarita prison in Nueva Esparta state. Aguilera Villahermosa passed away on October 23.

According to the OVP, the causes of death included cardiogenic shock, dilated cardiomyopathy, severe arteriosclerosis, and arterial hypertension. The organization has called for an immediate, exhaustive, and impartial investigation to determine if the inmate had been previously diagnosed and whether he received timely and specialized medical attention.

Humberto Prado, director of the OVP, has demanded that the Ministry for Penitentiary Service provide information regarding the current operating conditions of the Margarita prison, including the number of inmates and the available health services. The incident has renewed scrutiny regarding the state's responsibility to guarantee healthcare for individuals in its custody.