The Spanish government has officially called upon Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, to immediately release Spanish political prisoners held in the country, as confirmed to RTVE by sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Spanish authorities, at least 14 individuals with Spanish citizenship are currently detained "arbitrarily" in Venezuelan prisons. A significant number of these individuals hold dual nationality and either were born or reside in Venezuela. Human rights organizations and opposition groups estimate the number of Spanish citizens imprisoned for political reasons to be between 14 and 20.
The request was made through a "verbal note" sent to the newly established Venezuelan government following Rodríguez's appointment as interim president, after Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces and extradited to face charges related to drug trafficking and other crimes.
Notable Cases and Previous Allegations
Among the most recent cases is the September 2024 arrest of Basque citizens José María Basoa and Andrés Martínez Adasme, accused by the Chavista regime of being Spanish secret service agents plotting an attack against Maduro, according to EFE.
Various sectors view their detention as a political retaliation, especially following Spain's asylum offer to opposition figure Edmundo González Urrutia.
Organizations such as Foro Penal, the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPP), and the party Vente Venezuela have consistently condemned the presence of foreign nationals—including Spaniards—among the political prisoners of the Venezuelan regime.
Spain's Stakes in Venezuela
Spain has significant economic and business interests in Venezuela, along with an estimated Spanish community of between 150,000 and 200,000 residing there.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reaffirmed that Spain will not acknowledge any interventions that breach international law and called for a "fair and dialogued transition," aligning with the stance of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, which collectively opposed unilateral military actions in Venezuelan territory.
As of now, there has been no public response from Delcy Rodríguez's interim government to Spain's request, while international diplomatic pressure mounts for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela.
Key Questions About Spanish Political Prisoners in Venezuela
How many Spanish citizens are reported to be political prisoners in Venezuela?
Spanish authorities report at least 14 Spanish nationals are detained in Venezuela, while human rights organizations and opposition groups suggest the number could be between 14 and 20.
What actions has Spain taken regarding the detention of its citizens in Venezuela?
Spain has issued a formal request through a verbal note to the interim Venezuelan government for the immediate release of Spanish political prisoners.
What is the international community's stance on the situation in Venezuela?
Countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay have opposed unilateral military actions in Venezuela and support a fair and dialogued transition.