Venezuela Frees 104 Political Prisoners, Rights Group Says
CARACAS — Venezuelan authorities have freed at least 104 people considered political prisoners, according to a leading human rights group, the latest development in an unfolding release process that has drawn both domestic attention and international scrutiny.
Foro Penal, a Caracas-based non-governmental organisation, said on Sunday that it verified the release of 104 detainees across prisons nationwide, with the figure likely to rise as verification continues.
Among those freed were lawyers and students previously held on political grounds, including Kennedy Tejeda, a human rights lawyer detained in August 2024 while visiting a detention centre, and communications student Juan Francisco Alvarado.
Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, said the organisation would continue checking the identities of others released and urged Venezuelan authorities to publish an official list of names.
Context: Slow, Opaque Release Process
The releases come as Venezuela undergoes a significant political transition. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed leadership after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month by US forces, has pledged to free hundreds of those detained under the previous administration.
Rodríguez’s government claims it has already freed more than 600 detainees since December, but rights groups say many of those released were not classified as political prisoners. Foro Penal has cautioned that the official numbers and the NGO’s figures differ widely, highlighting ongoing discrepancies and transparency concerns.
Many families of still-detained critics and opposition figures continue to camp outside Venezuelan prisons, calling for fuller releases and justice for their loved ones. Some expect the number of political detainees to remain high even as incremental releases continue.
International and Domestic Reaction
Human rights advocates have welcomed the releases as a positive step but stressed that much work remains. They argue that broader reforms and clear, public records of releases by the Venezuelan government are essential for confidence and accountability.
The evolving situation remains closely watched by foreign governments, rights organisations, and Venezuelans alike as the country navigates a delicate period of political adjustment and calls for greater respect for civil liberties.
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