politics
May 8, 2026
OVP demanded the dismissal of Minister Julio García Zerpa after the death in custody of Víctor Quero Navas
The NGO Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons (OVP) demanded this Thursday the dismissal and investigation of the Minister for Penitentiary Service, Julio García Zerpa, after the death in custody of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas was confirmed, who remained disappeared for 16 months. Through a publication on X, the organization maintained that the case presents multiple irregularities and affirmed that there is a "chain of responsibilities that must be investigated" [...].
TL;DR
- The NGO Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones (OVP) demands the dismissal and investigation of Minister Julio García Zerpa.
- Political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas died in custody after being disappeared for 16 months.
- The OVP cites multiple irregularities in the case, including inconsistencies in his arrest and detention.
- The organization questions how authorities claimed Quero Navas had no identification while his burial included full details.
- The OVP doubts the official cause and date of death, noting contradictions with evidence on his tombstone.
- The NGO asserts that this is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of abuse in Venezuela's prison system.