Washington D.C.: On December 10, 2024, Jesús Armas was abducted by the Venezuelan security forces amid a context of widespread political repression. Witnesses report that Armas—who had been advocating for free and fair elections in the country—was abducted at the “Café Canel” in Caracas’s Las Mercedes neighborhood. At approximately 9:20 PM, six masked men armed and dressed in uniforms without official insignia stormed the café. They threatened patrons into silence and, without identifying themselves or presenting a judicial order, forcibly took Jesús, handcuffing him and pushing him into an unmarked vehicle. 

Jesús Armas is believed to be held at El Helicoide, a notorious torture center in Caracas, under the custody of Venezuela’s political police. His family and trusted lawyers have been denied visitation rights, preventing them from confirming his condition.

“The Maduro regime forcibly disappeared Jesús Armas. Their actions were arbitrary, cruel, and in violation of international law,” said Kerry Kennedy, president of RFK Human Rights. “The United States government has to maintain its commitment to hold the regime accountable for egregious human rights violations and to demand the release of all political prisoners,” she added.

A dedicated advocate for democracy, Armas served on the city council of Caracas for five years and leads the organization Ciudadanía Sin Límites. He also taught at the Central University of Venezuela. His activism was particularly prominent during the July 28 presidential elections, where Nicolás Maduro was defeated, a result Maduro refuses to acknowledge. Reports indicate that more than 2,000 opposition figures and human rights defenders, including Jesús Armas, have been arbitrarily detained since then. 

“Jesús Armas’ case is yet another stark reminder that Venezuela remains a dangerous place for those who stand for democracy and human rights,” stated Isabel Carlota Roby, senior staff attorney at RFK Human Rights. “Other similar cases like that of Rocio San Miguel, Javier Tarazona, Kennedy Tejeda, and thousands of others make it very clear.”

At RFK Human Rights we will persist in our demand for the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela and urge the State to establish the whereabouts of those who have been disappeared. We call upon the international community to employ all available diplomatic mechanisms to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy in the country.