By Kaitlyn Degnan
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
CARACAS, Venezuela — Daniel Ceballos, a jailed Venezuelan opposition leader, ended his hunger strike on June 11. He is the former mayor of San Cristobal.
Ceballos, along with fellow opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez have been engaging in hunger strikes for the release of imprisoned Venezuelan opposition members.
They are also demanding that the government set a date for parliamentary elections, which are due to be held this year.
Ceballos ended his strike after 20 days due to kidney pain. His weight had dropped to 57 kilos (125 pounds). It has not been confirmed whether Lopez has continued his strike.
Ceballos was arrested last year in response to his role in anti-government protests. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Ceballos and Lopez of being responsible for 40 deaths during anti-government protests last year.
The announcement of the end of his strike was made by Patricia de Ceballos, who ran for (and won) her husband’s mayoral position after his arrest.
Following the announcement of the end of his strike, Ceballos was transferred to a new detention center.
About 74 Venezuelans, in the country and elsewhere throughout the world have joined Ceballos and Lopez in their protest. The protesters come from all walks of life, including five political prisoners, one congressman, two councilmen, a teacher, a state employee and over 50 youth activists.
Two councilmen from Venezuela in Rome participating in the protests met with Monseigneur Carlos Mendiola, a Vatican representative. Venezuelan exiles in New York City protested outside of the United Nations Headquarters and were granted an audience with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
Those striking in solidarity has stated their main objective is to gain attention for the plight of the political dissidents from bodies like the United Nations and the Catholic Church. These protests have been somewhat successful – some world leaders have begun issuing statements directed at Maduro and Venezuela.
European Council President Donald Tusk expressed his disapproval over the opposition imprisonments in Venezuela. Although the Council’s official declaration discussed its opposition to US sanctions against Venezuela, Tusk called this a “compromise.” He indicated that the perceived human rights violations in Venezuela were a topic of conversation were a topic behind closed doors.
In an opinion piece in El País, Desmond Tutu, South-African Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate called on Maduro to release political prisoners. He also condemned human rights violations in the country.
Venezuela has yet to respond to any of the allegations or demands.
For more information, please see:
Buenos Aires Herald – Jailed former Venezuela mayor ends hunger strike – 11 June 2015
PanAm Post – Vatican, UN lend an ear to Venezuelan hunger strikers – 11 June 2015
Reuters – Jailed former mayor ends hunger strike in Venezuela – 11 June 2015
PanAm Post – Desmond Tutu slams Nicolas Maduro over human rights violations – 12 June 2015
PanAm Post – Venezuelan political prisoner Daniel Ceballos abandons hunger strike – 12 June 2015
