Today, June 6, 2025, Juan Carlos Márquez, the main spokesperson for the Bolívar and Zamora Farmers’ Council, issued an urgent call to the National Government and the Supreme Court of Justice, demanding answers and support for the farming community in Pedraza, Barinas. The situation is critical, with several farming leaders imprisoned, suffering from severe health issues, and lacking access to necessary medical care.
Márquez reminded that on October 15, 2024, they were at the National Prosecutor’s Office with agrarian jurisdiction, which falls under the Human Rights Directorate and was created to handle cases related to farmer struggles. Despite commitments made at that time, no clear answers or solutions have been provided to date regarding the farmers’ conflict.
In this context, farmer representatives visited Prosecutor’s Office 60 because they were reported by landowner Homero González. Prosecutor’s Office 60 initiated an investigation for unlawful possession against the representatives and their fellow farmers, who were detained and tortured in San Rafael de Canaguá, Pedraza municipality, Barinas state. They have been criminalized as invaders, even though the farmers possess legal documents proving that their process with the Land Institute was conducted correctly. Despite having all the necessary proof, Prosecutor’s Office 60 refused to accept any documents and acted against them, favoring the landowner from San Rafael de Canaguá, Mr. Homero González.
The main concern lies in the health status of the detained farmers. Farmer leader Glines Méndez and fellow Nelson Lepesqueur are in a delicate situation and require surgery, yet their right to health and life has been denied. Márquez emphasized that these farmers’ rights have been violated and their lives are at risk.
The Bolívar and Zamora Farmers’ Council, representing the community of San Rafael de Canaguá, Pedraza municipality, urgently calls on competent authorities to provide an immediate response and the necessary support to ensure the health and freedom of the farming leaders. The community is waiting for urgent actions to resolve these cases, which they consider “unjust and inhuman.”
La Tabla/ Data Journalism Platform