A leading Venezuelan human rights group says at least 80 political prisoners have been released under pressure from the US. Alfredo Romero, head of Foro Penal, said his group was verifying the identities of those freed from prisons across the country on Saturday - and more releases were likely to take place. It is the latest batch of detainees released since the US seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a raid and took him to New York to stand trial on drug-trafficking charges earlier this month. On Friday Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez said more than 600 prisoners had been freed - but Foro Penal says this figure has been inflated. Romero announced the releases on social media. He also posted an image of Foro Penal colleague Kennedy Tejeda, who he said had been held in Tocorón prison, west of the capital Caracas since August 2024. The number of releases could rise above 80 as verification continues. Human rights groups have accused the government of using detentions to silence dissent. Many of those freed were reportedly arrested following the 2024 presidential election, following claims of a disputed victory by Maduro. Opposition figures and a handful of foreign nationals are included among those released. Rodriguez mentioned plans to contact the UN to verify the list of those freed, underscoring the profound concerns regarding political detentions in Venezuela.
Venezuela Releases Political Prisoners Following US Pressure
Venezuela Releases Political Prisoners Following US Pressure
In a surprising turn of events, Venezuela has released at least 80 political prisoners under pressure from the United States, according to a prominent human rights organization. More releases could be on the horizon as families await news outside the prisons.
Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal reports the release of at least 80 political prisoners, likely a response to U.S. pressures following President Nicolás Maduro’s legal troubles in New York. The releases come amid ongoing concerns about the treatment of political dissenters by the Venezuelan government, which has historically been accused of suppressing opposition voices.
