Name: Carlos Esqueda
Arbitrarily detained: February 11, 2015
Place of confinement: Santa Ana Prison
Occupation: First Lieutenant of the Venezuelan Air Force
Carlos lost his freedom on February 11, 2015 along with other military personnel. Nicolás Maduro accused them of planning a coup called “Blue Strike” by the regime. The alleged conspiracy was baptized with that name because those involved were members of the Venezuelan Aviation.
His case is being managed by the Fifth Military Court of Control. He was detained in the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (Dgcim) of Boleíta. However, on May 1, 2015, his transfer to the Ramo Verde military prison was completed.
His case went through 95 hearings, 59 of them effective. Finally, on January 11, 2017, the Court charged him for instigation of rebellion and sentenced him to 8 years, 8 months and 21 days in prison.
Civilians involved
The sentence was made by the Second Accidental Court of Maracay and also affected a taxi driver, a carpenter, a senior technician and five lieutenants of the Armed Forces. Alfredo Romero, director of the Foro Penal, denounced that the resolution was taken without evidence.
After the sentence, he was transferred to the Santa Ana prison, in the Táchira state, where he remains until today. The trial against Carlos Esqueda has been plagued by irregularities and injustices. Like all political prisoners, he is innocent.
#LiberenACarlos # LiberenATODOSPososPolíticos
