APExclusive: The Red Cross regains access to prisons in Venezuela, including highly guarded military facilities where dozens of inmates considered political prisoners are being held.
FILE - In this April 28, 2017 file photo, prison guards stand on the roof of the Ramo Verde military prison in Los Teques, on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela. The International Committee of the Red Cross has regained access to visit prisons in Venezuela, including highly guarded military facilities such as Ramo Verde where dozens of inmates considered political prisoners are being held.
International Red Cross President Peter Maurer on Wednesday wraps up a five-day visit to Venezuela, where the Geneva-based group is among international organizations trying to carve out a space to deliver badly needed humanitarian aid and technical assistance free of the winner-take-all politics contributing to the country’s turmoil.
Sandra Hernandez, whose husband, Sgt. Luis Figueroa, has been jailed at Ramo Verde since January for leading a military uprising against Maduro, was present last week when a white-colored vehicle emblazoned with the international Red Cross’ logo pulled up to the prison entrance. While her husband told her he wasn’t among the small group of prisoners allowed to speak with the Red Cross representatives, she was hopeful the visit would help improve dire conditions for all inmates, many of whom she said are suffering from lack of medical attention and claim to have been tortured. The AP was unable to independently verify those claims.
The majority of people held at the Ramo Verde are military personnel accused of plotting to overthrow Maduro. Many more, including five oil executives with U.S. passports, are being held in the basement jail of the military counterintelligence headquarters in the capital.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASA's Mars habitat challenge gives glimpse of life on the Red PlanetNASA has crowned 3 design teams as finalists in its ongoing competition to design 3D-printed habitats for Mars, giving earthlings a glimpse of what it might look like to live on another world. - NBCNewsMACH
Read more »
Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Tesla, Facebook, Red Robin & moreThese are the stocks posting the largest moves midday Thursday.
Read more »
Red Sox pitcher Hector Velasquez says he will skip White House visit because of Trump’s commentsVelasquez joins Mookie Betts, Rafael Devers and Jackie Bradley Jr., as players who will not celebrate their World Series victory with President Trump.
Read more »
Brexit talks with Labour must be free of 'big red lines': HuntThe British government and the opposition Labour Party should avoid 'big re...
Read more »
Trumpian rhapsody: Hong Kong opera takes on ping-pong, China and the long red tieThe creator calls the work a bid at “Cantonese opera diplomacy.”
Read more »
LG Elec sees lower profit as mobile business stays in red, shares slipLG Electronics Inc's operating profit likely fell by a smaller-than-expecte...
Read more »
UK opposition leader: I'm waiting for May to move Brexit 'red lines'Prime Minister Theresa May has yet to move the 'red lines' that have b...
Read more »