Washington says it runs Venezuela. So why is Daniel Echenagucia (and many others) behind bars?

Imagine being innocent but being confined to four concrete walls in 2x2 metre cell for 23 hours each day.

In Venezuela, hundreds of political prisoners remain behind bars. Detained without judicial warrants. Passports confiscated. Facing made-up charges of treason, conspiracy, and terrorism-related offenses, without access to a lawyer.

Daniel Echenagucia

One of them is Daniel Echenagucia. Daniel and his family have bravely shared their story - risking their safety and freedom in the process.

Daniel is an Italian Venezuelan citizen. He is a husband, a father of two, a business owner. A bass fishing champion and avid outdoorsman. And a civilian disinterested in politics.

As his mother describes him: “He has a very cheerful personality and is constantly making jokes. He has very clear values and principles. He is an empathetic, fair, and loyal person, and always willing to help. That is Daniel.”

On August 2, 2024, the military arbitrarily arrested Daniel without a judicial warrant while he was travelling. His wife and children were also detained and held incommunicado. Their phones and passports were confiscated. The family home was searched.

Daniel has been imprisoned at the notorious El Rodeo maximum-security prison - facing absurd charges ranging from treason to conspiracy and criminal association. Suffering from chronic asthma, osteoarthritis, hypertension and metabolic syndrome, he has lost more than 30 kilos since his arrest. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) found that his rights to life, personal integrity and health are at risk of irreparable harm.

And yet, he still spends his days in a tiny cell with limited access to water, sunlight and ventilation and is subjected to prolonged isolation and degrading treatment.

Awaiting an uncertain future in an unsafe environment, he has missed his son’s school graduation and has only seen his family a handful of times.

Echenagucia family

In January, things began to look brighter. A Venezuelan court issued a formal order to released Daniel. But the prison simply ignored it. Because justice, as we know it, is dead in Venezuela.

In June, the IACHR formally recognised the seriousness and urgency of Daniel’s situation. The commission called on Venezuela to protect his life and health; provide immediate medical care; prevent further violence; allow regular contact with his family, the Italian consulate, and his legal team; and officially confirm the status of the release order. Venezuela dysfunctional (or worse) government has not responded.

Stories like Daniel’s should be a wake-up call in Washington. Where is the action to free him? Ever since removing dictator Maduro from power in January, President Trump and Secretary Rubio have been clear to point out that the US now controls Venezuela. This can’t just be about controlling Venezuela’s oil - the people of Venezuela deserve better than a corrupt puppet regime disappearing people at will.

Echenagucia family

They deserve freedom, justice and an opportunity to shape their own destiny. If these ideas still have meaning and value in the free world, then President Trump must push for the release of Daniel as for the release of all political prisoner 250 years after the Declaration of Independence, this would be the most American thing to do.

Free them now. ¡Libérenlos a todos!