And police arrested in December on charges of betrayal of the country died Saturday in state custody in Venezuelaas reported by the opposition and human rights organizations, in the midst of waiting for the mass release of political prisoners.
Venezuela announced on Thursday the release of a “significant number” of detainees, including foreigners. However, relatives and human rights defenders point out that they have only been released once. score of detainees for political reasons since then. The interim government of Delcy Rodriguez defends this measure as a gesture of “peaceful coexistence”. But the White House insists that it is part of the influence of Donald Trump in Venezuela, after bombing the country to capture the deposed president Nicolas Maduro.
“The Committee of Relatives for the Freedom of Political Prisoners denounces the death in custody of the State of Edison José Torres Fernández52 years old, which occurred on January 10, 2026 (…) 62 hours after the official announcement of the releases,” said that organization in a message on X published early Sunday morning. Other Venezuelan human rights organizations also announced the death of the police officer.
20 years of service
Torres Fernández was an official of the Police in the state of Portuguesa, about 400 kilometers from Caracas, with more than 20 years of service, according to the Committee of Relatives for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPP). “He was arrested on December 9, 2025 for share critical messages against the regime and the governor of the state,” added this organization that defends the rights of political prisoners. It indicated that “he was charged with crimes of treason and association to commit a crime.”
“Until this moment, There is no official information about the circumstances or causes of his death.nor about the medical attention that he would have received while in custody. This lack of information and transparency makes the State responsible for their life and integrity,” added the CLIPP.
The opposition First Justice party, of the imprisoned leader Juan Pablo Guanipaalso announced the death and demanded “immediate, full and unconditional freedom for ALL political, civil and military prisoners.”
Since 2014, 18 political prisoners have died in custody of the Venezuelan State, according to human rights organizations. According to the NGO Foro Penal, to date there are more than 800 political prisoners in Venezuela.
