Democratic opposition demands to know his whereabouts
Venezuela’s democratic opposition demanded on Monday that the whereabouts and health status of journalist Roland Carreño be made known, detained by the Nicolás Maduro regime a month ago.
«One month after Roland Carreño’s kidnapping, we at the Democratic Unitary Platform demand that his whereabouts and state of health be known,» the coalition stated on its social networks.
She also demanded his immediate release and that the precautionary measures granted to him by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on August 17 be respected. “Freedom for Roland and for all political prisoners!” she demanded.
One month after the kidnapping of @rolandcarrenoFrom the Democratic Unitary Platform we demand that his whereabouts and state of health be known.
We also demand his immediate release and respect for the precautionary measures granted by the IACHR on August 17. Freedom… pic.twitter.com/FvWplDxtmu
— Venezuela Unit (@unidadvenezuela) September 2, 2024
What happened to Roland Carreno?
Carreño, who was imprisoned between 2020 and 2023 on charges of “terrorism,” was arrested on August 2 in Caracas. The political organization Voluntad Popular then described the act as arbitrary and demanded the journalist’s immediate release.
The arrest came amid heightened political tension following allegations of fraud in the July 28 presidential election, when Nicolas Maduro allegedly won with 52 percent of the vote.
The opposition, represented by Edmundo González Urrutia, has rejected the results.
Maduro has accused opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and Gonzalez of inciting violence in order to carry out a “coup d’état”.
In this context, Carreño’s arrest was added to that of Freddy Superlano, another important leader of Voluntad Popular.
Roland Carreño, national operational coordinator of Voluntad Popular, had been arrested in October 2020 and released in October 2023. During his imprisonment, He was accused of conspiracy, illicit trafficking and terrorism, charges that his defense always denied.
The Chavista Prosecutor’s Office pointed him out as a “financial operator” of conspiratorial plans against the Maduro government. His case was criticized by a mission of United Nations experts, who denounced crimes against humanity in the repression of protests in Venezuela.
Independent journalism needs the support of its readers to continue and ensure that uncomfortable news that they don’t want you to read remains within your reach. Today, with your support, we will continue working hard for censorship-free journalism!