A local leader of a Venezuelan opposition party has been found dead
Voluntad Popular’s co-founder, Edwin Santos, has been found dead after being detained by state security forces, according to his party.
“We hold the Nicolás Maduro regime responsible for this murder,” the group said in a statement released after the incident.
According to the document, Santos, a regional leader in Apure (south-west of the country), was detained by government security forces on October 23. He was detained in Directorate General of Military Counter-Intelligence in Guasdualito (the border between Colombia and Venezuela), and his body was later found.
“Today Edwin joins the list of those murdered for political reasons,” the party says. independent investigation and one Autopsy To clarify the facts.
The document concludes, “There will be justice, memory and reparations. There will never be a dictatorship again.” So far, neither the Communications Ministry nor the Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office have responded to requests for comment on the matter.
“His death is a sign of political vendetta”
According to Voluntad Popular, in the context of the position of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), the opponent was “the fundamental actor in the victory” in the runoff of the presidential elections on 28 July, which emphasizes that Edmundo González Urrutia won those elections. Achieved. their death is oneclear political signals “Retaliation and against democratic political activism,” according to the formation.
“As long as Nicolás Maduro remains in power, there will be no citizens in Venezuela, Not even those who are part of the government todayYour life or liberty is safe. Maduro must fall and everyone must have freedom,” said the vice president, who also expressed his solidarity with the family and friends of the deceased.
Santos was 36 years old and was the local coordinator of the PUD Presidential Campaign Command, according to the human rights committee of the Vente Venezuela party, which has also called for an investigation.transparent and free,
leader of the opposition Maria Corina Machado X has condemned this death and sent a message to the population: “For Edwin we must enforce the Constitution, respect human rights and national sovereignty.” Furthermore, he has highlighted the character of Santos, whom he described as “a good man who has dedicated himself to fighting for democracy.”