Venezuela Sentences 65-Year-Old Doctor to 30 Years Over Message

A Venezuelan court has sentenced a 65-year-old doctor, Marggie Orozco, to 30 years in prison after she was accused of criticising the government of President Nicolas Maduro in a WhatsApp audio message. Human rights organisations confirmed the ruling on Monday and said the sentence was issued on charges of “treason, incitement to hatred, and conspiracy,” which together carry the maximum penalty under Venezuelan law. According to rights groups, community leaders reported Orozco to authorities after alleging that her message expressed disloyalty toward the government, although neither the content of the audio nor the intended recipient has been publicly disclosed.

Orozco was arrested in August 2024 in the western town of San Juan de Colon during a period of political and social tension in Venezuela. The arrest took place shortly after Maduro claimed victory in the 2024 presidential election, a result the opposition and several international governments rejected as fraudulent. The disputed election led to nationwide demonstrations and the detention of around 2,400 people, though most were released within a few months. Following the unrest, President Maduro encouraged citizens to report individuals he described as “fascists,” a term often used by the government to refer to members of the political opposition and critics of state policies.

Rights organisations, including the Venezuelan NGO JEP, reported that Orozco has suffered two heart attacks while being held in detention. Another organisation, Foro Penal, stated that approximately 882 people currently detained in the country are considered “political prisoners.” Human rights experts say Orozco’s case reflects broader concerns about freedom of expression, criminalisation of dissent, and the use of national security laws against government critics. They note that the lack of transparency surrounding the alleged message raises additional questions about due process and proportionality of punishment.

The sentencing has intensified discussions among international observers regarding the state of civil liberties in Venezuela, particularly the treatment of individuals accused of political offences. No official statement has been released by the Venezuelan government regarding Orozco’s conviction, and rights groups continue to call for medical attention and legal guarantees for detainees held on political grounds. The case has drawn attention to ongoing debates about human rights, judicial independence, and digital communication surveillance in the country.