Venezuelan authorities have released 11 prisoners as of Saturday, following a government pledge on Thursday to free a significant number of detainees. The releases come amid ongoing calls from families and human rights organizations for the liberation of over 800 individuals who remain imprisoned, including the son-in-law of an opposition presidential candidate.

Diógenes Angulo, detained for a year and five months, was among those released. Angulo was arrested two days before the 2024 presidential election after posting a video of an opposition demonstration in Barinas, the home state of the late President Hugo Chávez. Upon his release from a prison in San Francisco de Yare, approximately an hour's drive south of Caracas, Angulo expressed gratitude and hope for others still detained. "Thank God, I’m going to enjoy my family again," he told The Associated Press, adding that those still imprisoned "are well and have high hopes of being released soon."

Families of prisoners gathered outside prisons in Caracas and other communities for a third consecutive day on Saturday, seeking information about potential releases. The government's initial announcement on Thursday raised expectations, but the slow pace of releases has led to frustration and uncertainty. As of Saturday, only 11 people had been released, an increase of two from the previous day.

The releases occur within a complex political landscape, marked by ongoing tensions between the government and the opposition. The detention of individuals like Angulo, particularly those connected to the opposition, has drawn criticism from international observers and human rights groups, who allege politically motivated imprisonment. The government maintains that those detained have violated the law and are subject to due process.

The United States has also been involved in Venezuelan affairs. Angulo learned upon release that former President Nicolás Maduro had purportedly been captured by U.S. forces Jan. 3 in a nighttime raid in the capital, although this information has not been independently verified.

The situation remains fluid, with families continuing to advocate for the release of their loved ones. The government has not provided a specific timeline for further releases or details on the criteria being used to determine eligibility. The international community continues to monitor the situation, urging transparency and respect for human rights in Venezuela's judicial processes.