Venezuelan authorities 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 for the liberation of over 800 individuals who remain incarcerated, including the son-in-law of an opposition presidential candidate.
Diógenes Angulo, detained for a year and five months, was among those freed. 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, about an hour 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 remaining incarcerated "are well and have high hopes of being released soon."
Families of prisoners gathered for a third consecutive day outside prisons in Caracas and other communities, seeking information about potential releases. The government's initial pledge on Thursday raised expectations, but the slow pace of releases has led to frustration among families and advocates.
The releases occur within a complex political landscape, marked by ongoing tensions between the government and the opposition. The detention of individuals linked to the opposition has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations, which have called for fair trials and the release of political prisoners.
The situation is further complicated by recent events, including reports that former President Nicolás Maduro was allegedly captured by U.S. forces on Jan. 3 in a nighttime raid in the capital, according to Angulo. The U.S. government has not confirmed this information.
While the Venezuelan government has not specified the criteria for prisoner releases, it is widely believed that international pressure and negotiations with opposition groups are playing a role. The releases are being closely monitored by human rights organizations and international observers, who are urging the government to expedite the process and ensure due process for all detainees. As of Saturday, the fate of the remaining prisoners remains uncertain, with families continuing to advocate for their release.
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