CARACAS — 2018 · Suspicious Death

The Death of Fernando Albán in SEBIN Custody

SolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

Opposition politician Fernando Albán, a Caracas city councillor, was detained on his return from New York in connection with the August 2018 drone attack. On 8 October 2018 he died after falling from the tenth floor of the headquarters of the SEBIN intelligence service at Plaza Venezuela. The authorities called it suicide; his family, the opposition and international bodies disputed this and demanded an independent investigation. In May 2021 Venezuela's Attorney General acknowledged that Albán had been killed by two SEBIN officers, and proceedings were opened against them. The case became a symbol of international criticism over the safety of detainees.

Date: 2018
Place: Capital District, Venezuela, Caracas, VE
Category: Suspicious Death
Case Status: Solved
Coordinates: 10.4970, -66.8840 ↗

Timeline of Events

5 October 2018Albán was detained at Caracas airport.
8 October 2018He died after falling from the SEBIN building; officials called it suicide.

October 2018His family and international bodies demanded an independent inquiry.
May 2021The Attorney General acknowledged two SEBIN officers were responsible.

Sources

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