"The recent death of Venezuelan political prisoner Raul Baduel reminds the world of the deplorable and dangerous conditions Venezuelan political prisoners face in the Maduro regime's custody," Price said during a press briefing. "We call for an independent examination to confirm the true cause of the death."
Baduel, who once saved former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez from a coup, reportedly died in a Venezuelan prison on Tuesday due to a cardiac failure caused by COVID-19.
Baduel served as Venezuela’s defense minister under Chavez. Baduel helped Chavez return to power after a failed coup attempt in 2002. However, Baduel became an opposition leader in 2007 before his eventual arrest two years later and conviction in a corruption case.