ILAAD FILES FOUR URGENT COMPLAINTS ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES IN VENEZUELA

The International League Against Arbitrary Detention (ILAAD), alongside JusticiaXLibertad and human rights experts, has submitted four urgent complaints to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) regarding the ongoing cases of forced disappearances in Venezuela. These complaints concern four Colombian nationals – Brayan Sair Navarro Cáceres, Danner Gonzalo Barajas Luque, Edwin Iván Colmenares García and Kevin José Saavedra Basallo – all of whom have been disappeared in Venezuela.

The individuals were arrested under highly dubious circumstances, and despite multiple appeals from their families and the international community, Venezuelan authorities have not provided any information on their whereabouts or condition. ILAAD demands that the Venezuelan government reveal their locations and grant them access to a lawyer and consular assistance.

BRAYAN SAIR NAVARRO CÁCERES (DISAPPEARED 6 JANUARY 2025)

Brayan, a Colombian national, was arrested by the Venezuelan National Guard at the Puerto Cabello checkpoint. His last communication with his family reported his arrest, but since then, there has been no information on his whereabouts. Despite international media coverage and a demand for his release by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his fate is unknown.

DANNER GONZALO BARAJAS LUQUE (DISAPPEARED 7 NOVEMBER 2024)

Danner was detained by Venezuelan immigration officers while crossing the José Antonio Páez International Bridge to visit his mother in Venezuela. Authorities said he was a security risk, despite being a community worker. Since his detention, his family has not been able to locate him, even after multiple diplomatic efforts.

EDWIN IVÁN COLMENARES GARCÍA (DISAPPEARED 1 NOVEMBER 2024)

Edwin, a Colombian lawyer, was detained at the Saime del Amparo immigration office after presenting his ID. He was accused of espionage by Venezuelan authorities, leading to his disappearance. A witness reported that Edwin was taken to Caracas, but his family has no information on his condition or location.

KEVIN JOSÉ SAAVEDRA BASALLO (DISAPPEARED 29 OCTOBER 2024)

Kevin, a former member of the military, was detained by the Venezuelan National Guard at the Los Dos Caminos checkpoint in Caracas after presenting his military ID. The authorities became suspicious of him and claimed he was a terrorist. Since his detention, his family has not received any information on his situation.

ILAAD CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION

ILAAD has called for the UN Working Group to intervene urgently, as these cases are part of a broader pattern of enforced disappearances in Venezuela, especially of foreign nationals. The international community must hold the Venezuelan government accountable and demand compliance with international human rights standards.

“We cannot remain silent while individuals are detained without due process and subjected to forced disappearances,” said Mael Clerc, President of ILAAD. “The Venezuelan government must reveal the whereabouts of these individuals and ensure their rights are upheld.”