Venezuela Acknowledges That ‘Missing’ Political Prisoner Died as a Hostage Last Year

Venezuela’s Political Prisoner Death Confirmed

On Thursday, Venezuela’s socialist government acknowledged the death of political prisoner Victor Hugo Quero Navas, which occurred in July 2025. This revelation followed a prolonged 16-month search by his 82-year-old mother, Carmen Teresa Navas.

Quero Navas, a 50-year-old businessman, was arrested in January 2025. Throughout the year, his family, especially his mother, expressed their anguish via various channels, such as social media, highlighting their lack of contact and information regarding his situation.

His family has consistently accused the regime of enforced disappearance. On April 21, 2026, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) indicated that despite attempts to locate Quero Navas, they hadn’t received any updates from the Venezuelan authorities regarding political prisoners. They urged the regime to allow his mother to seek information about her son unharmed.

According to a statement from Venezuela’s Ministry of Prison Services, Quero Navas passed away on July 24, 2025, due to “acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism,” after spending ten days hospitalized at the Carlos Alvero Military Hospital in Caracas. His body was allegedly buried on July 30, 2025, with claims that this decision was made by the authorities since he had not provided any family information, and no one sought an official visit.

The Ministry expressed willingness to cooperate with investigations, extending condolences to the family while promising to facilitate the return of the remains.

Lawyer and activist Gonzalo Himiob reported that Quero Navas had been detained by the regime’s Directorate General of Military and Counterintelligence (DGCIM) in January 2025, facing accusations of treason and conspiracy. He was never tried or given due process for these allegations.

Shortly after the regime’s announcement, Venezuelan media shared footage of Carmen Teresa Navas at her son’s makeshift grave. Interestingly, the grave marker indicates a death date of “July 27, 2025,” which raises questions since this is three days later than the official report.

The unclear circumstances of Quero Navas’ imprisonment and death have initiated a flurry of inquiries about his treatment. In October, an official document from the Venezuelan Ombudsman’s office stated that he had been incarcerated in Rodeo I Prison, near Caracas, three months post his purported death. His mother attempted to confirm his status with prison authorities a total of twelve times without success.

After sharing photos of her son, Carmen Teresa received messages from fellow inmates who recognized him and reported seeing him in critical condition due to stomach issues, allegedly having received only grain as food.

The anti-socialist Venezuelan opposition leader, María Colina Machado, has criticized the regime, calling the case a “crime against humanity.” She underscored the months of relentless searching by Carmen Teresa, contradicting claims that no one sought to see her son.

As of April 27, 2026, the non-governmental organization Foro Penal documented at least 454 political prisoners still held in Venezuela. Currently, under “acting president” Delcy Rodriguez, the regime began an “amnesty” initiative this year, purportedly to release numerous political prisoners. However, in April, it was announced that this amnesty process had concluded, and remaining prisoners needed to explore other legal avenues for release.