A Venezuelan court has handed down a 30-year prison sentence to a doctor for allegedly criticizing President Nicolas Maduro’s government in a WhatsApp audio message, according to human rights organizations. Marggie Orozco, a 65-year-old physician, was convicted of charges including treason, incitement to hatred, and conspiracy after local community leaders reported her for what was deemed a disloyal communication. The specifics of the message and its intended recipient remain undisclosed. Orozco was arrested in August 2024 in San Juan de Colon, a town in western Venezuela, during a period of political turmoil following Maduro’s controversial reelection. The opposition and numerous international entities have labeled the election as fraudulent. Maduro’s disputed victory sparked widespread protests, leading to the arrest of 2,400 individuals, though most were released within months. In the aftermath, Maduro called on his supporters to identify and report so-called “fascists,” a term frequently used to describe opposition members. Orozco has reportedly suffered two heart attacks while in detention, according to Venezuela’s JEP rights NGO. The Foro Penal NGO estimates that approximately 882 individuals are currently held as “political prisoners” in Venezuelan jails.
Doctor jailed 30 years for criticizing Maduro in WhatsApp message
