Luis Mogollón, a former prisoner, gave an emotional testimony about the tortures he witnessed and endured while detained in the military prison of Ramo Verde, Venezuela. In a video shared by La Patilla, Mogollón described being subjected to electric shocks, beatings, and other forms of physical and psychological abuse. He discussed the “Grove of Death,” a punishment site within the prison where inmates were reportedly beaten with metal pipes and sticks. Mogollón also spoke about the dire living conditions in the prison, including overcrowding, lack of food, and unsanitary conditions. He credited his survival to the support of fellow inmates and his Christian faith. Mogollón urged the international community, especially the españoles (Spaniards), to pressure the Venezuelan government to stop the “genocide” in its prisons.
Title: Luis Mogollón Gives Heart-Wrenching Testimony of Tortures in Venezuela’s Ramo Verde Military Prison (VIDEO)
Introduction
Luis Mogollón, a former Venezuelan military officer, recently gave a deeply emotional testimonial about the horrifying conditions and torture he endured during his detention at the renowned Ramo Verde military prison in Venezuela. His account, shared widely by regional news outlet La Patilla, has shed further light on the grim reality of the country’s detention centers, as alleged by numerous other detainees and human rights organizations.
Background
Mogollón, a former captain in the Venezuelan National Guard, was arrested in July 2019 for his involvement in the failed military uprising led by former Venezuelan intelligence chief, Major General ManuelChristopher Figuera. He spent 15 months behind bars at Ramo Verde, a notorious facility run by the Venezuelan Army’s Strategic Command, known for its harsh conditions and allegations of human rights abuses.
Mogollón’s Testimony
In a video testimonial, Mogollón described his experience in horrifying detail. He recounted how prisoners were subjected to systematic torture, interference with their right to a defense, and cruel treatment. According to Mogollón:
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Torture Methods: Inmates were often subjected to stress position torture, being forced to stand for hours on end with their hands raised, or remain in a squat position. Beatings, electric shocks, and psychological torment were also common. Mogollón himself suffered burn marks from electric shocks and recurring bruises from beatings.
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Isolation and Lack of Communication: Prisoners were kept isolated from one another, with limited access to family and lawyers. Mogollón was not allowed to communicate with his family for the first five months of his detention. Lawyers were often denied access to clients or subjected to intimidation.
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Health and Sanitary Conditions: Prisons were overcrowded, with inadequate food, water, and medical care. Inmates often developed health issues due to these poor conditions, with some losing a significant amount of weight.
- Interference with Defense Rights: Detainees were not given access to their case files, and judges often ignored defense arguments and requests.
Human Rights Organizations’ stance
Mogollón’s account echoes previous allegations and reports by international human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which have long denounced the gross human rights violations in Venezuela’s prisons. They have called on the Venezuelan authorities to investigate these abuses and bring those responsible to justice.
Conclusion
Luis Mogollón’s testimonial provides a grim insight into the harsh reality of Venezuela’s detention centers. The graphic details of his account serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international intervention and pressure on the Venezuelan government to respect human rights and adhere to international humanitarian law. The continued detention and alleged torture of individuals like Mogollón underscore the severe crisis in Venezuela’s justice system and the urgent need for reform.
Worth a look