Starving for Justice: 48 Venezuelan Prisoners Embark on Desperate Hunger Strike Amid Overcrowding Crisis

Venezuelan Prisoners on Hunger Strike Over Inhumane Conditions

A total of 48 Venezuelan prisoners from the state of Lara have embarked on a hunger strike, a desperate measure to protest against overcrowding and procedural delays in the country’s prisons.

The Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons (OVP), a non-governmental organization, revealed that the prisoners’ extreme measure reflects their desperation in the face of inhumane prison conditions and their demand for authorities to respond to their grievances.

The OVP has warned of serious and progressive health consequences resulting from the hunger strike, including rapid weight loss, dehydration, and deterioration of vital functions. Prolonged fasting can lead to severe problems such as organ damage, loss of muscle mass, and potentially irreversible cardiac complications.

The organization has urged the Office of the Prosecutor and the Ombudsman to address the critical situation of the prisoners urgently. The OVP has informed the Inter-American and Universal Human Rights System about the situation, aiming to raise awareness about the crimes suffered by prisoners and to pressure authorities to take decisive action.