Politics/News
Transport union leader Orlando Ramírez freed after month without contact
The president of the Ministry of Transport union was released in the early hours of October 6 on a road between Lara and Yaracuy states, following his detention on September 8 during a labor protest in Caracas.
Orlando Ramírez, president of the Ministry of Transport Union, was released in the early hours of October 6, 2026, on a road between Lara and Yaracuy states, after remaining missing since September 8.
Ramírez had taken part in a demonstration outside the Ministry of Transport headquarters in Caracas to demand labor improvements. According to the sources consulted, on October 4 the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners reported his alleged arbitrary detention and forced disappearance, and stated that Ramírez had sent a message warning of his detention before losing contact.
Lawyer Eduardo Torres confirmed the release and recounted that agencies including Sebin, Dgcim and PNB had internally acknowledged the detention at the National Anti-Drug Command Las Acacias, while the National Guard denied it. Torres filed a formal complaint on October 2 with the Ombudsman's Office, with no recorded response until the release date, and alerted the ILO and the UN.
Unions and organizations had demanded proof of life for Ramírez for nearly four weeks. The sources consulted do not identify who carried out the release or the reasons for the detention.
Ramírez led the union efforts at the Ministry of Transport at the time of the events. The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners acted as the main complainant in the absence of official information on his whereabouts. Eduardo Torres, as the case lawyer, channeled the public confirmations and actions until the union leader's release.
