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 

Super Eagles have returned to Nigeria, touching down at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State, after enduring a challenging ordeal in Libya before their upcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong took to X to share the news, writing, “BACK HOME 🇳🇬 SAFE & SOUND.

“Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken. Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome. I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer TOGETHER.”

Victor Boniface, a forward for the team, also posted on X, saying, “Back to Nigeria 🇳🇬❤️❤️ Next of kin you try out.”

The Super Eagles had departed Nigeria on Sunday, but their trip took an unexpected turn when their flight was diverted to a remote airport in Libya, far from their intended destination.

This forced the team into a grueling three-hour road journey to reach their final stop.

Matters worsened when the players, pilots, and staff were left stranded at the Libyan airport for more than 13 hours without access to basic essentials such as food, water, or a place to rest.

Images of the players attempting to sleep on chairs circulated on social media, with Troost-Ekong and other players sharing their plight, leading to public outrage from Nigerian officials.

Thankfully, the team has now safely arrived in Kano, following clearance for their flight to depart Libya.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since initiated an investigation into the treatment of the Super Eagles at Al Abaq Airport, with its Disciplinary Board looking into violations of the federation’s rules.

The situation also drew condemnation from several prominent figures, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, NiDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor-Kalu.

ROAMAN NEWS