Italy – Il Sore 24 Ore, Jan. 09, 2026
The announcement of the first releases of political prisoners in Venezuela bodes well for the fate of the Italians behind bars in Caracas. According to calculations by Avvenire, a Catholic newspaper, there are 46 compatriots detained in Venezuela, some for common crimes. Of these, in addition to Alberto Trentini, the cooperator arrested 420 days ago, there are another 27 compatriots detained for ‘political’ reasons in Venezuelan prisons. Reasons often pretextual, linked to politics, professional activity or the expression of opinions out loud, considered inconvenient for Maduro’s government. Twelve arrested after the presidential elections on 28 July 2024.
Echenagucia, Avellino entrepreneur detained at El Rodeo 1
Behind bars is Daniel Enrique Echenagucia, an entrepreneur from Avellino, father of two, who was illegally arrested with his family on 2 August 2024. After his family’s release, there was no news of him for weeks. He is reported to be held in total isolation in El Rodeo I, the prison in Guatire, 30 kilometres from Caracas. Family members reported that the man is prostrated by detention, suffers from asthma and has lost 18 kilos.
Turin Burlò vanished into thin air
Mario Burlò, a businessman from Turin, also disappeared into thin air on 12 November 2024. According to his family, he was detained without clear reasons. He is now on the list of those released. Burlò had left in 2024 to go to Venezuela in search of new business opportunities, after being involved in an Italian ‘ndrangheta trial from which he was acquitted in Cassation. His daughter Gianna told Corriere della sera that she had not seen him since November 2024 and had only heard from him last October, after eleven months without contact.
