After a brief visit to the Olympics in Paris, Jan heads for his dream vacation in Venezuela. Via Paris and Lisbon, he flies to Caracas.

Jan regularly communicates with family and friends, sending them photos and sharing experiences from his vacation. At the same time, he arranges the handover of his belongings for a planned glacier course in Switzerland.

Jan has not contacted anyone since September 5 and does not arrive at the agreed meeting place in Zurich where he was supposed to meet his friends. His disappearance is reported to the Czech diplomatic service in Bogotá and subsequently to the Czech Police.

Diosdado Cabello informs on state television about Jan's arrest and labels him as a CIA mercenary with accusations of conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country. The family also receives information from the Czech consul in Bogotá that Jan was arrested and imprisoned in Venezuela.

The Czech Republic sent a diplomatic note to Venezuela and repeatedly requested, together with the family's lawyer, information and consular visits. However, Venezuelan authorities have not responded so far.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR, Sp. CIDH) issues measure PM 1150-24 and calls on Venezuela to take corrective action in favor of Jan Darmovzal, including disclosure of his whereabouts, ensuring access for lawyers and protection of his life.

Venezuela does not respond to the IACHR call. The Commission therefore issues resolution PM 1150-24 on preventive measures in the matter of Jan Darmovzal.

Renowned Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero dedicated her Prague concert to Jan.

Following negotiations by US Special Envoy Richard Grenell, the first group of six American prisoners held in Venezuela was released, as a result of intensive diplomatic initiative by the United States.

Parents speak via video interview with released American prisoner David Estrella, who describes the inhumane conditions of detention in Venezuela, which he also talks about later in an interview for the media.

The UN in a press release called on Venezuela to comply with international law and immediately clarify the fate and whereabouts of detained persons and prevent their irreversible health damage.

Jan is allowed his first contact with the outside world - a short phone call with his parents.

As part of an exchange mediated by Salvador, Venezuela released the remaining ten American citizens, leaving no other American in prisons. The United States simultaneously deported 252 Venezuelan migrants and the Venezuelan regime released 80 political prisoners. Jan Darmovzal was not part of the agreement.

Video call of parents with released American prisoner Joseph Castaneda, who also describes very difficult detention conditions and uncertainty in which prisoners were held long-term.

Exactly one year after Jan's detention, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský issues a statement on X network, in which he publicly calls on Venezuela for his immediate release.

Several prisoners were allowed humanitarian visits, Jan was not.

On the eve of Jan's 35th birthday, he is allowed a second short phone call with his parents.

The first group of seventeen Colombians and one Ecuadorian was released. Jan continues to wait for a consular visit...

Venezuela released French-Chilean citizen Camilo Pierre Castro, who had been detained since June 2025 after crossing the border from Colombia. According to Franceinfo this was the result of quiet diplomacy and France stated that no compensation was behind the release. The case again highlighted dozens of foreign prisoners held in Venezuelan prisons.

Jan was allowed a short consular visit, which he completed together with two other prisoners. Until then, they were among the last who were not allowed a visit.

After Nicolás Maduro's arrest, the release of some prisoners began. Jan, however, continues to remain in prison.

Jan Darmovzal is finally released from prison and returns to the Czech Republic, where he is welcomed by family, friends and the public after long months of uncertainty and fighting for his freedom.