Where is Jesús Armas?

On December 10, Jesús Armas, a Venezuelan democracy activist, former Caracas city councilor, and one of the campaign managers for Edmundo González and María Corina Machado’s presidential campaign in the nation’s capital, was kidnapped by Nicolás Maduro’s and Diosdado Cabello’s security forces. His disappearance underscores the ongoing repression in Venezuela, where the regime systematically silences dissent through intimidation and illegal detentions.

Armas has been committed to public service since he was a college student, almost twenty years ago. As a city councilor, he addressed critical issues like water shortages and public corruption. After leaving office, he continued his advocacy through the NGO Ciudadanía Sin Límites (Citizenship Without Limits), promoting transparency and civic engagement. His role in the opposition’s presidential campaign further solidified his status as a key figure on the ground going with Gonzalez and Machado on their rallies and collecting the voting tallies that have proven Maduro lost in a landslide the presidential election.

Armas’s whereabouts are unknown after a week, leaving his family and supporters in anguish. This tactic of enforced disappearance has grown greatly since Cabello was appointed minister of interior, justice, and peace.

According to Foro Penal, a Venezuelan human rights organization, more than 17,000 people have been illegally detained in Venezuela over the last decade. Since July 28, 2024, over 2,000 innocent people have been arbitrarily arrested, including children, women, and activists. Many detainees face brutal torture, including electric shocks, beatings, and sexual violence. Armas’s case is another grim reminder of the regime’s impunity and its weaponization of fear to suppress opposition.

The international community must strengthen sanctions against individuals responsible for these abuses. Targeted measures can help hold those accountable for arbitrary arrests, human rights violations, and crimes against humanity. Mechanisms like the International Criminal Court (ICC) must also continue their investigations into the regime’s actions to ensure justice is served.

Jesús Armas’s story is also one of resilience. Despite the risks, he represents the unyielding determination of Venezuelans to fight for democracy and justice. His disappearance should galvanize global action to hold the Maduro regime accountable and support the millions of Venezuelans who continue resisting tyranny.

Maduro and Cabello are solely responsible for the safety and well-being of Armas. His disappearance and any harm inflicted upon him are grave violations of international law and human rights. The world must demand to know his whereabouts, and the regime must be held accountable for his condition and immediate release. Armas’s case is not just a matter of justice—it is a warning of the regime’s cruelty.

David Smolansky is a senior fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, deputy director of the ConVzla presidential campaign office in Washington, D.C., and a former opposition mayor in Venezuela. All opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or views of the institutions they represent or VOC.