In the protests she participated in the Venezuelan streets and in the public events she led from her exile in Spain, she always stood as the voice that Chavismo had tried to silence by imprisoning her husband, Leopoldo López. Wearing a white shirt with the face of the political leader highlighted in color during the 2014 marches, she demanded his freedom, as well as that of other prisoners. From that vital experience as an activist, combined with her training as a coach, 'Path to Freedom: manual for the liberation of political prisoners' emerges. A training program of which she is the director and which is being presented today in Madrid with testimonies from people who have applied it.
"The prisoner is imprisoned, but so is the family because they stop enjoying life when a loved one is behind bars," explains Tintori, before presenting the aforementioned document. Due to this suffering, from the World Liberty Congress - the initiative developed by López to unite dissidents worldwide - they created this support tool. The defender demands the release of the prisoners and emphasizes the severity of the situation in her country, where there are already 1,905 prisoners, including children, which "had never happened before, it is very alarming, and mothers are desperate."
"It is the first time in history that there are more prisoners in Venezuela than in Cuba (1,068)," she points out, and asks the Spanish Government to work towards getting the 16 imprisoned Spaniards out of Nicolás Maduro's prisons, thus ceasing to be "complicit in the torture."
Question. What is the main objective of the manual?
Answer. That the family of the political prisoner knows what to do. Our goal is for them to feel reassured during the path to freedom because they are doing the right thing. This manual is not based on my experience as a Venezuelan and wife of a former prisoner. It is based on global experiences. There are cases from Africa, Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, Sudan... We tried to investigate many cases for almost two years. We took a global look. For example, Nelson Mandela. He was from South Africa, but the world knows him. How did they achieve it? Not because of his years in prison, but because his team, family, and wife did what they had to do with his name, his face, his image... Not necessarily many years in prison make people know the prisoner. It depends on the family, the spokesperson for that prisoner. That's why we identified in several cases that the family has to organize, commit, and take steps, step by step. We have the step-by-step process in the manual.
Q. Before downloading it, there is a survey requesting personal data, will you provide advice to all registered individuals?
A. The challenge is to reach the family and generate empathy and trust so that they start the program. We have achieved this with 17 families globally [from different parts of the world]. In the sessions, the family member has to express themselves and open their heart to understand how that person is, and depending on their situation, we advise and support them. The closest thing to having a prisoner in your family is having a deceased person. My most beautiful moment in the world was when Leopoldo came back home and we hugged.
In Cuba today, there are 1,068 prisoners; in Venezuela, 1,905, it is the first time in history that there are more prisoners than in Cuba; in Bolivia, 269; and in Nicaragua, 45. Our dream is for there to be no political prisoners in Latin America. Today, 70% of the world's population is under autocracies. These regimes use people as hostages. To the families, we say: "You are not alone, this will pass, the day of freedom will come, but work must be done."
Q. You have firsthand knowledge of how Chavismo treats political prisoners and their families. At a World Liberty Congress event, you recounted the anecdote of when you were forced to strip to visit your husband. What was the worst moment you experienced during those seven years?
A. So many things... Every time they asked us to strip and jump. I remember one day they not only asked me to take off my clothes, but also my underwear, my wedding ring, earrings... They aimed to push you to the limit. Those moments of the search were very uncomfortable because my children were present, it was humiliating. The military had the authority. The treatment was very rough, there was a lot of hatred and intimidation. I experienced evil in the Ramo Verde prison. I encountered evil personified in regime figures like Diosdado Cabello when Leopoldo was imprisoned. The lack of humanity was what impacted me the most. Today, I see that evil replicated in different countries. The treatment towards the prisoner and the family is a pattern. It is the same.
Q. Repression has intensified since June 28 in Venezuela, how is the Maduro Government acting?
A. The issue is that they are not political prisoners, they are kidnapped because their families do not see them. In most cases, it has been over two months since they were kidnapped, and no one has seen them. They know which prison they are in, most are now in El Helicoide, which is a torture center. They are hostages of Maduro. He uses these people to maintain power. He also orders the persecution of families. Today, there is state terrorism in Venezuela, people live in great fear, and the country resists. The leaders who represent change today, Edmundo and María Corina, are setting an example for everyone to continue. We have been fighting for freedom for years, and I believe that day will come.
Q. Is there any information about the 16 Spanish political prisoners?
A. We are in contact with their families, and as a group, they have to demand the freedom of the Spaniards. I am very shocked that they are still imprisoned. Spain should go and seek its citizens, they must be released immediately. Furthermore, today Spain as a country still has relations with the dictator and has a responsibility for those prisoners because they are Spanish citizens.
Q. What is your opinion on the role of the Spanish Government since June 28?
A. My appeal is for them to demand the freedom of political prisoners. Diplomacy cannot be conducted or maintain international relations while being complicit in torture. Today, 1,905 prisoners are being tortured. For me, the Spanish Government is complicit.
Q. Do you affirm that the Spanish Government is complicit in the torture?
A. They are aware of this, and nothing happens. Spanish leaders go to Venezuela, come and go, and this number increases. My request is for the Spanish Government to demand the freedom of the prisoners. After they are released, then engage in diplomacy. But we cannot use humanity as bargaining chips and hostages. We cannot use the human pain of families to remain in power.
Q. And the role of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero?
A. If they can bring Edmundo González [to Spain], who is an elected president according to the records, my question is: how come they cannot bring Spanish political prisoners? They must be released, that would be a coherent act for Spain.
Q. So, if Zapatero has been a 'facilitator' to get Edmundo González out, he could do the same for the 16 Spaniards...
A. Yes, hopefully he will. It would be a positive outcome for those families. I dream every day of seeing no more political prisoners in Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Nicaragua. Freedom is freedom in your country, many of the releases we have seen in recent months in Nicaragua are exile. They take away your passport, as they did to me, your identity, erase you from the entire educational system...