Venezuela releases prominent human rights lawyer Carlos Correa from house arrest. Nicolas Maduro News
Supporters of free speech were among several activists detained ahead of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration last week.
Authorities in Venezuela have released a prominent human rights lawyer from detention, just days after President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third term amid a crackdown on dissenting voices and opposition leaders.
Carlos Correa, director of the Venezuelan nonprofit Espacio Público, was released early Thursday, his organization said in a social media post.
A distinguished university professor in Venezuela and expert on freedom of expression, Correa was one of several opposition figures and civil society activists arrested ahead of Maduro’s inauguration last Friday.
Human rights group Amnesty International said last week that “masked men” had arbitrarily detained Correa in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on January 7.
In a statement released the following day, the group demanded the release of Correa and other detained Venezuelan human rights defenders, while accusing the Maduro government of waging a “politically motivated” campaign of detentions.
Amnesty International said, “We demand that Nicolás Maduro ensure their immediate and unconditional release and, while in state custody, protect their life and safety, guaranteeing them the right not to be tortured and a fair trial. “
UN human rights chief Volker Turk had also urged Correa’s release.
We demand the freedom of Carlos Correa and all human rights defenders in Venezuela. https://t.co/gLRg95LNyP pic.twitter.com/RMsueuMUzT
– Amnesty International USA (@amnestyusa) 15 January 2025
Maduro was sworn in for a third term on January 10, after Venezuelan electoral officials said he had won a disputed vote in July.
But the country’s opposition has defeated Maduro with its presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
Opposition leaders have accused the government – which failed to release a detailed tally of votes – of stealing the election in Maduro’s favor.
But Venezuela’s longtime president, who came to power after the death of leftist leader Hugo Chavez in 2013, has adopted a defiant tone.
Maduro pledged to abide by the country’s laws during his swearing-in ceremony, saying, “May this new presidency be a period of peace, prosperity, equality and a new democracy.”
“I swear on history, on my life, and I will fulfill (my mandate).”
The day after the inauguration another opposition leader, María Corina Machado, was briefly detained after making a rare public appearance to lead protests against Maduro’s continued rule.
#Venezuela:UN human rights chief @volker_turk Deeply concerned at further reports of arbitrary detention and intimidation, including against human rights defender Carlos Correa and opposition members and their relatives.
Now is the time to act to reduce stress and reduce risk… pic.twitter.com/Zc1MPoQcNK
– United Nations Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) 9 January 2025
According to Espacio Público, an organization run by Correa, more than 400 newspapers, radio stations and TV channels have been closed in Venezuela over the past two decades, a crackdown that began under Chávez and intensified during Maduro.
On Wednesday, Correa’s wife said her husband was brought to anti-terrorism court last week, but she had no information about the charges against him nor where he was being held.
Rights groups and press freedom organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the news of Correa’s release.
“The director of the (Espacio Público) should not have spent a single day in detention,” RSF said in a post on the social media platform X.
