Despite recent announcements of the prisoner versions, clippve representatives remain skeptical. Some, like Sosa, were promised that their loved ones would be released, but it has not yet taken place.
“There is a lot of anger because the authorities have used the outings in a very opaque and obscure way,” a clippve representative, who also has a family member in prison, told Al Jazeera.
Some families have even faced a reprimand and threats of arrest for having protested the continuous detention of their relatives.
Rivas, which is part of Clippve, stressed that continuing to fight is imperative. While attention fades, the pressure on the government also to release prisoners.
“I am very aware that the worst thing that can happen to a political prisoner is oblivion,” said Rivas.
For Davila, the need to raise awareness is at the heart of its mission to Defiende Venezuela. She documented the case of Armas as well as many others.
“At least, in relation to international organizations, we ensure that there is a file of human rights violations that occur, because if we only rely on the organizations of Venezuela, we would have no file “Said Davila.
Rivas, on the other hand, has not heard of his boyfriend for a month. It is no longer authorized for visits or calls.
Worse, the threat of arrest is now also suspended from the rivas. The Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello called Rivas by name in his weekly television program, CON El Mazo Dando – a religious reference which constantly translates into “hitting with a club”.
Critics have accused Cabello of using the platform to identify the objectives of political repression.
“It was quite painful,” said Rivas. She added that she is currently taking care of the elderly parents of Armas. “If we were both arrested, his parents would have no one to turn to.”
Despite the risks, Rivas is resolved that silence is not an option.
“Those who are detained are in this situation to defend the truth, for having defended democracy,” she said. “Every day, I think of what we can do for the freedom of Jesus and other political prisoners – and to ensure the creation of historical memory in the country, so that this kind of thing will not happen again.”