The arrest of 33 men in a gay sauna has sparked outrage in Venezuela

• Police raid gay sauna in Venezuela.
• The LGBTQ+ community has come together to provide legal assistance.
• Activists decry homophobia in Venezuela.

Police raid a gay sauna in Venezuela and arrest 33 men, sparking outrage among the LGBTQ+ community.

Venezuelan citizens and activists worldwide demand justice.

Police in Carabobo, Venezuela, raided a gay sauna on Sunday, July 23.

They arrested 33 men, according to the Washington Blade.

Venezuela under scrutiny for the arbitrary arrest of 33 men in a gay sauna

A Venezuelan activist talked to the Washington Blade about the police raid of a gay sauna in Valencia, Carabobo.

He said it was a violation of the fundamental rights of all those involved.

He said the raid occurred «without a search warrant, without due process.»

He added that it violated «the fundamental rights of 33 Venezuelan adults who were in full use of their mental and physical faculties.»

Media exposed the men who were arrested in the raid

Venezuelan media outlets have been heavily criticized for disclosing the identities of the men who were arrested.

They showed photos of all 33 individuals involved.

The National College of Journalists issued a statement on the matter.

«The CNP reminds its members that current legal framework obliges us to presume innocence and safeguard the identity of anyone accused of illegal acts.»

The police raid was conducted without a warrant

It was reported that the 33 men were taking part in an «orgy» at the Avalon Club on Sunday, July 23.

El País reported the police conducted the raid and made the arrests without obtaining a search warrant first.

The Spanish outlet stated that the men were detained solely because they were gay.

No charges have been filed against them.

Reporting on the incident underscores the homophobia in Venezuela

Several Venezuelan media outlets sensationalized the incident, calling it an «orgy with HIV.»

That generated significant outrage within the LGBTQ+ community on a global scale.

The Washington Blade reported that 30 of the 33 men involved have been released.

However, the owner of Avalon Masajista and two «masseurs» remain in custody.