The case of Luis Armando Táriba Malpica, a 29-year-old graphic designer, underscores growing concerns about due process and arbitrary detention in Venezuela. Imprisoned as September 2024 on charges ranging from terrorism to conspiracy,Malpica’s family maintains his arrest stemmed from a case of mistaken identity involving camouflage clothing. His mother, Priscila Malpica, now sells candy on the streets to afford care packages for her son, who has reportedly attempted suicide twice while incarcerated at the Tocuyito prison.
A Venezuelan mother is desperately seeking justice for her son, a graphic designer imprisoned for over a year on charges she and advocates say are baseless. Priscila Malpica’s fight to free Luis Armando Táriba Malpica highlights concerns about due process and political imprisonment in Venezuela.
Táriba Malpica was arrested on September 17, 2024, at his workplace in Valencia following an anonymous tip alleging he was wearing camouflage clothing. Since then, his family has been battling a criminal case they describe as lacking both evidence and logic.
The 29-year-old has been accused of terrorism, treason, conspiracy to commit a crime, and conspiring with a foreign government, according to reporting from El Carabobeño. Malpica’s mother insists he is innocent of all charges, stating he has no involvement in politics, doesn’t vote, doesn’t speak English, and doesn’t own a passport.
Malpica also has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a heart condition that previously disqualified him from military service, a long-held aspiration, his mother said. The initial accusation stemmed from a woman who reportedly felt uneasy seeing a “U.S. military member” frequently. This suspicion was based on the camouflage clothing he purchased from various stores and a small accessory featuring the American flag.
“You’d have to be very foolish not to distinguish between clothing from street vendors and a military uniform,” his mother told the regional news outlet.
Following his arrest, Táriba Malpica was transferred between several police and intelligence facilities, including the Sebin in Naguanagua, El Helicoide, and the PNB in La Yaguara. He reportedly fainted during one court appearance due to stress and his pre-existing heart condition.
In August 2025, he was moved to the Tocuyito prison, where he remains incarcerated.
Sells Candy to Send Care Packages to Her Son
While her son remains in prison, Priscila Malpica’s life has been drastically altered. She lost her job due to the frequent trips to Caracas to seek answers from courts, prosecutors, and public defenders. She has been unable to meet with Attorney General Tarek William Saab despite repeated attempts.
Despite a promise of medical evaluations for her son in April 2025, those examinations have not yet been scheduled. Without a steady income, Malpica transitioned from offering rehabilitation therapies to selling bracelets and candy on the street. She spends hours walking through shopping centers, parks, and fairs to earn enough money to send care packages to her son.
“The day they took him, I lost my own life,” she expressed.
Táriba Malpica has attempted suicide twice, and his depression has deepened due to his separation from his three-year-old daughter. His daughter, according to her grandmother, is experiencing emotional distress, and his wife has developed hypertension.
No Evidence Against Him
A preliminary hearing in December 2024 acknowledged that no evidence existed against Táriba Malpica. However, authorities did not order his release. He was also added to a case file alongside other detainees he met in prison, with his family unsure of the connection.
Priscila continues to travel to Caracas when possible, though increasingly less frequently due to financial constraints.
“Leaving him there, knowing he did nothing wrong, is what hurts the most,” she said. “He’s a quiet young man. His daughter needs him.”
