Fifteen-year-old Aliangel Jose Rodriguez was driven by curiosity to join a protest after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election in late July, his mother recalled.

What seemed like a simple outing turned into something much more serious. Rodriguez ended up arrested, one of many minors caught in the country’s ongoing political turmoil, according to his family and human rights advocates.

“A boy who is always studying… cannot be labelled a terrorist,” his mother Maria Tovar said tearfully from their humble home in Carabobo, a region roughly 110 miles west of the capital, Caracas.

Data from Foro Penal, a Venezuelan human rights organization, reveals that Carabobo has the highest concentration of so-called “political prisoners,” with 297 out of 1,916 cases recorded nationwide. Of these detainees, 70 are between the ages of 14 and 17.

Since July 29, just a day after the election, Venezuelan authorities have arrested 1,784 people, many facing charges such as “terrorism” or “incitement to hatred,” which carry prison terms ranging from 10 to 30 years, Foro Penal reports.

“Even the most hardened criminals wouldn’t get a 10-year sentence for something they didn’t do, simply for stepping onto a highway to watch some lights,” Tovar said, her voice breaking, her well-worn Bibles lying nearby.

During one of her visits to the detention center, Rodriguez confided in her that he had attempted to take his own life just three days prior, overwhelmed by the sight of another young detainee being sentenced to 10 years in prison.

“I only ask the president to have compassion, and to reconsider the cases of all the children,” Tovar pleaded, addressing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. “It’s not just my son. There are 14 minors.”

Foro Penal confirms that at least 80 teenagers arrested during the protests have since been released, including four from Carabobo.

“None of these children are politically involved, they don’t vote,” said Dennys Benitez, whose 17-year-old son, Luis David Lopez, remains imprisoned. “Sadly, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and were arbitrarily imprisoned.”

ROAMAN NEWS 

Nine people, including a mother and her young daughter has tragically lost their lives in a devastating road accident at Oke-Elesin, Amuloko, in the Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State on Monday morning.

Several others sustained critical injuries. The crash involved two trucks loaded with soda drinks and tiles, as well as two tricycles, commonly called “Keke Marwa.”

Eyewitnesses reported that one of the trucks lost control while descending the steep Oke-Elesin hill, crashing into other vehicles, including the Keke Marwa.

The sudden loss of control caused the truck to run over the tricycles, leaving a scene of chaos and devastation.

“The accident occurred early this morning. It was caused by brake failure on the truck as it descended the slope of the road. After losing control, it crushed a tricycle or Keke NAPEP.

Another lorry, carrying soft drinks, was following closely behind and, in an attempt to avoid the truck in front, collided with and crushed another Keke NAPEP,” an eyewitness recounted.

According to reports, six people died instantly, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Dr. Raji Wale, the Managing Director of Amuloko City Hospital, confirmed that four patients were brought to his facility.

“The accident occurred early this morning. Six victims were brought in with varying degrees of injuries, and some were taken to other hospitals. We managed to treat those brought here.

Two were treated as outpatients and have been stabilized and discharged. Two children are still here. I was informed that one of the children was in the Keke NAPEP with his mother, who died.”

“The other two, with severe injuries, have been admitted and are being treated. They have been stabilized, and we are continuing their care,” Dr. Raji added.

Mrs. Rosemary Alo, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Oyo State, acknowledged the accident but stated that official confirmation would be provided after a report from her field officers.

By the time of this report, normalcy had been restored to the area, with security personnel from various agencies, including Operation Burst, OYRTMA, the Police, FRSC, Amotekun, and local vigilantes, ensuring traffic resumed smoothly.

ROAMAN NEWS