March 18th, 2021

Matthew Heath, a war-time decorated Marine Corps veteran, had been trying to build a business in the tourist industry for the past few years and was working on obtaining his captain license. He sailed to Columbia last February to obtain more boating experience and visit his girlfriend while he was there. Sometime in March, Matthew’s father began receiving messages from Matthew regarding his boat needing repair and that he was in need of money so he can fix it and sail back to the States. His father began sending Matthew money to help him out however he eventually stopped. After not hearing from Matthew for a while, on September 15th, 2020 his father received a call from the U.S Embassy in Columbia who broke the news to him that his son has been held since September 10th in the Venezuelan military prison. 

The CASLA Institute, a human rights advocacy group in Latin America, has been active in helping the family and has provided legal representation for Matthew as well as reported the torture Matthew underwent through a complaint to the United Nations Commission of Human Rights. The CASLA Institute also strongly believes that prior to his detainment by Venezuelan authorities in September, Matthew was abducted in Columbia in March. The cryptic messages his father received regarding money for Matthew's boat were from his abductors extorting money from the family. When the family stopped sending money, Matthew was either dumped or sold to Venezuelan Authorities. 

Today, the Venezuelan government has falsely charged Matthew with terrorism, possession of weaponry, and espionage. After his initial incarceration in Venezuela, Matthew was tortured by the Venezuelan authorities as they tried to force him into a confession. The torture that he endured ranged from food and water deprivation to electrocution, suffocation with plastic bags over his head, severe beatings all over his body, threats of rape, and being put in a freezing room with no clothes and having ice water poured over him. On September 16th a presentation hearing was held in the City of Caracas and the prosecution stated that Matthew was in possession of weapons when he was first arrested, however police reports made during Matthew’s arrest clearly state he was only in possession of a cell phone and foreign currency ($20 in cash). Currently Matthew is in a Venezuelan military prison called “The house of Dreams” in Boleita, Caracas. 

He is kept in unsanitary conditions in a cell that is three levels below ground. He has been placed at least 3 known times in what is called the “Doll Box'' which is a small area designed to make the individual feel as if they are suffocating. The family has been unable to have direct contact with Matthew and it has been almost 8 months since his incarceration. Currently all communication with him is through his attorney who has irregular visits with Matthew. 

In this prison, families of the incarcerated are responsible for providing food, clothing, and hygienic materials. The Heath family has been purchasing these items and delivering them to Matthew through his attorney. Very little light is being brought to this story and the Venezuelan government’s false charges placed on Matthew have instead been made the focus in the media. The Maduro Regime is currently illegally detaining 8 other Americans that we know of. Each story is similar in that due process was not given to the individual and physical and/or mental torture has taken place.  Lots of strain has been put on the family both financially as well as emotionally as they fight to bring Matthew back home. The family has been posting special updates on the case here and has also set up a fundraising page for those who would like to donate.