On Sunday, the NGO Foro Penal, dedicated to defending political prisoners in Venezuela, announced that 131 individuals detained during protests against the results of the July 28 presidential elections had been released. These elections controversially declared Nicolás Maduro re-elected without providing evidence. The releases followed a review of measures requested by the Public Ministry (Prosecutor's Office). However, the released individuals have not been granted full freedom and must appear in court this Monday to receive alternative measures to imprisonment.
“We understand that most judicial processes are ongoing,” explained Foro Penal, noting that over 1,700 political prisoners remain in Venezuelan jails. The releases occurred across various states, including Aragua, Miranda, Carabobo, La Guaira, and Guárico.
Government's Response and Continued Detentions
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab stated, as reported by EFE, that between Friday afternoon and Saturday, 225 freedom measures were granted to individuals detained after the electoral protests. Saab mentioned these decisions were based on thorough investigations involving new evidence collected by the Prosecutor's Office, though he did not specify the detention centers where beneficiaries were held.
Conflicting Detention Figures
Nongovernmental organizations and opposition parties in Venezuela report that at least 1,850 people, including 69 minors, women, and military personnel, were imprisoned following the elections, mostly charged with crimes such as terrorism and conspiracy. The government claims a higher number of 2,400 detentions related to the protests, suggesting many detainees do not fall under the "political prisoner" category due to alleged other criminal activities.
International Attention on Human Rights Violations
The level of repression in Venezuela surged dramatically amid the July presidential elections. A report by the UN's Independent International Mission accused Maduro's regime of committing crimes against humanity before, during, and after the elections. The repressive measures aimed at declaring victory in fraudulent elections that the opposition evidently won.
The release of political prisoners represents a new chapter in the ongoing human rights and justice discussions in Venezuela, as the international community continues to monitor the country's situation closely.