Humanitarian worker freed in Venezuela after 17 months of detention
Danish Refugee Council is deeply relieved to share that Manuel Alejandro Tique, a Colombian humanitarian worker with our organisation, has been released in Venezuela after more than a year in detention.
11 Feb 2026
Manuel Alejandro was arrested on 14 September 2024 while travelling to Guasdualito to conduct humanitarian trainings. For 17 long months he was held without access to due process or basic consular guarantees. His release means that he can finally return to his family and begin rebuilding his life after an extremely difficult ordeal.
Throughout this period, Danish Refugee Council maintained constant dialogue with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and continued formal efforts with Venezuelan authorities, firmly insisting on a fair and swift resolution to his case.
We feel immense relief that Manuel Alejandro is free. Throughout his detention we reiterated that his work was purely humanitarian, guided by neutrality, independence and impartiality. No humanitarian worker should ever face such a situation.
Yann Cornic, DRC country director for Colombia and Latin America.
During the months of uncertainty and fear, Danish Refugee Council supported Manuel Alejandro’s family with emotional accompaniment and legal assistance. Their resilience — together with the solidarity expressed by humanitarian organisations, civil society, and international partners — has been extraordinary.
Why this matters
Humanitarian workers like Manuel Alejandro risk their safety every day to help people fleeing conflict, violence and disaster. When they are detained, threatened or prevented from doing their jobs, it is vulnerable families who suffer most.
Danish Refugee Council calls for full respect of international humanitarian law and for the protection of all humanitarian personnel. Their ability to work safely is essential to preserving the lives and dignity of millions of people who depend on assistance.
We will continue advocating so that no humanitarian worker is ever detained or criminalised for carrying out life‑saving work.
