The reality of minors detained for protesting against Maduro

Relatives demand the release of imprisoned minors. Photo: Ana Rodríguez Brazón/EL TIEMPO

In Carabobo, Judge Keidimar Ramos Castillo ordered the trial of seven teenagers, between 15 and 17 years old, all imprisoned since July 29. Relatives report that they have been beaten, their teeth have been knocked out and their nipples have been burned with electricity.

It was also learned that they have been forced to record videos admitting that they received $30 for going out to protest after the elections.

According to the newspaper The Carabobeñoat the hearing the judge offered them to plead guilty and thus they would only pay a six-year sentence. But the minors did not accept the extortion, so they will probably be sentenced.

In addition to children, there are also adults in prison. «In Tocuyito (Carabobo) there are boys who have depression, are malnourished and have serious health problems. Some have tried to commit suicide and many mothers can testify to this,” said Wendy Liendo, representative of 49 adults imprisoned in La Guaira and recently transferred to the Tocuyito prison.

Together with Marelys Ruiz, Liendo filed the appeal for protection before the Supreme Court of Justice and recalled the arbitrary detention of eight teenagers in the Care House 431 in El Cementerio, in Caracas.

“We are willing to bring packages and medicines, but some have been given medicines and they are not even given them,” Liendo pointed out.

With banners, slogans and shouts, mothers, sisters and other family members stood outside the TSJ, crying for the minors. The majority are low-income people and only with great sacrifice can they go to detention centers every week.