Czech man released from Venezuelan prison speaks out on isolation and abuse
Czech national Jan Darmovzal, who spent 500 days in a Venezuelan prison and was released, along with dozens of other political prisoners in January of this year, has made his first brief statement for the media. In an open letter, he described the harsh conditions in the Rodeo jailhouse.
Jan Darmovzal, 35, was hospitalized immediately upon his return and says health problems caused by harsh conditions in a Venezuelan prison still affect his daily life, though his condition is improving. Detained from September 2024 to January 2025, he described inhumane conditions, including lack of medical care, cold, poor hygiene and constant stress.
“Complete isolation, zero access to information and no consular visits were only parts of practices meant to completely “cut us off” from the world. I practically lived the entire time in a cell measuring 3.6 m x 1.9 m which I shared with another inmate,” stated Darmovzal adding that effective medical care was nonexistent and persistent cold and zero hygiene led to often very serious health complications of almost all prisoners.
The treatment of prisoners was, according to him, accompanied by ceaseless psychological and physical punishment. “This led other inmates to attempt suicide several times, resulting in deepening depression and a further deterioration of conditions,” he added.
After returning to the Czech Republic on January 18, he thanked those who helped secure his release, asked for privacy, and said he hopes to help other political prisoners still held in Venezuela.
“I would now like to direct the support that has accumulated over time to where it is most needed, for the liberation and assistance of other political prisoners whom the Venezuelan regime has still not released, among whom are many of my friends who helped me in hard times,” stated Darmovzal.
Venezuelan authorities detained him in September 2024, accusing him of involvement in an alleged plot against President Nicolás Maduro. Prague rejected the claims as unfounded. The NGO Foro Penal described Darmovzal as a politically motivated detainee.
