IN THEIR WORDS: SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ARBITRARY DETENTION AND TORTURE IN VENEZUELA - Venezuela’s economic, humanitarian, and political crisis has taken a devastating toll on human rights. In 2021, Venezuela became the first country in the Americas to face a formal investigation by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed by government officials and pro-government individuals. The ongoing climate of repression, arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial execution has affected both Venezuelans and United States citizens.

Human rights groups estimate there are over 250 Venezuelan political prisoners today and at least four wrongfully detained Americans. With this in mind, addressing the human rights situation in Venezuela remains an urgent priority for the United States.

What is the human cost of this ongoing human rights crisis? How can the international community ensure the voices of wrongfully detained individuals and political prisoners are central to policy conversations about Venezuela?

The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted this discussion about the reality of political and wrongfully detained prisoners on the ground, featuring a conversation with a former Venezuelan political prisoner, a wrongfully detained US citizen, and a human rights expert.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 06/05/23