The arrest of Rocío San Miguel, a respected human rights activist and leader of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Control Ciudadano, by Venezuelan authorities has raised numerous concerns within the global legal community. This development was confirmed by Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab who announced, via a tweet, that San Miguel has been detained for alleged links to a plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro.
This move follows recent accusations of San Miguel being involved in the said plot. Saab revealed that a warrant had been issued for the activist’s arrest, alleging that the conspiracy not only aimed to assassinate Maduro, but also targeted other high-ranking officials, and planned attacks on military units in the city of San Cristóbal. No evidence was disclosed by the government to corroborate these claims.
San Miguel is recognized for her expertise in defense matters and has always advocated for civilian oversight of Venezuela’s armed forces. She heads the NGO Control Ciudadano that champions civil supervision of national security, defense, and military forces.
San Miguel’s arrest is not an isolated incident, considering the detention of 36 government critics a few weeks prior, also accused of having ties to alleged plots against President Maduro. Human rights organizations have expressed concerns regarding a shrinking space for dissent and the gradual erosion of civil liberties in Venezuela.
Rocío argued that maintaining jurisdictional control over Venezuela’s armed services is vital for upholding the rule of law. She emphasized the need for judicial intervention to ensure military adherence to legal authority and to prevent arbitrary acts that contradict the tenets of a democratic state.
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