More than three dozen political prisoners were released in Venezuela over the weekend after a second round of talks between the country’s interim government and opposition groups, with backing from the United States. Human rights group Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon (JEP) confirmed that 39 political dissidents were freed between Friday and Saturday from various prisons.
Among those released were eight women accused of “narco-terrorism” in 2021 and six individuals charged with collaborating with the United States in a 2020 attempt to overthrow former President Nicolas Maduro. JEP said on X that it would “remain vigilant and continue to demand full freedom for all those who are still waiting.”
The talks took place on Friday between the government led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez—Maduro’s former vice president—and the opposition. These negotiations have US approval after Washington declared Maduro’s removal in January.
A first round of talks in August focused on recovering Venezuelan funds frozen overseas to aid recovery from June’s earthquakes, which killed more than 6,300 people, and on judicial reforms. Rodriguez had enacted an amnesty law in February under pressure from the US, but releases of political prisoners have been slow.
Rights group Foro Penal, which tracks political detentions, reported that 344 people remained classified as political prisoners as of September 18. This number is down from 391 on August 10, when the government said it had freed 131 people through a separate “alternative measures” programme.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented in August that more than 1,000 Venezuelans had been released since Maduro’s removal, calling it “a crucial step” for reconciliation in the country.
Families of political prisoners have staged ongoing protests outside the US embassy in Caracas and at El Rodeo I prison, which rights groups describe as a torture centre.
The recent releases highlight ongoing negotiations but also the slow pace of change for many detained political dissidents. Human rights groups continue to call for the release of all remaining prisoners.
According to Joy Online.
