Venezuela freed 99 detainees on Christmas Day in what authorities described as a gesture of goodwill, as the government reviews arrests made following President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed reelection.
In a statement, the Ministry of Penitentiary Services said the government and justice system decided to examine each case individually and release the prisoners “in accordance with the law,” calling the move a concrete demonstration of the state’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and justice.
Officials said those released had been detained for alleged involvement in acts of violence and incitement to hatred after the July 28, 2024, election.
Maduro’s claim to reelection sparked widespread protests, with the opposition asserting victory for former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia, who is now in exile.
Authorities arrested about 2,400 people during the unrest, though nearly 2,000 have since been freed.
Details about the conditions attached to Thursday’s releases were not immediately available. AFP requested clarification from the Prosecutor’s Office but received no response.
According to the rights group Foro Penal, at least 902 political prisoners remain in Venezuela.
The ministry’s announcement confirmed earlier reports by the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, an advocacy group made up of activists and relatives of detainees.
Committee leader Andreina Baduel welcomed the release of more than 60 people, saying they should never have been arbitrarily detained, while stressing that efforts would continue until all political prisoners are fully free.
Relatives said many of those released had been held at the Tocorón maximum-security prison in Aragua state, roughly 134 kilometers from Caracas.
Among them was 65-year-old doctor Marggie Orozco, who had been detained on charges including treason and incitement to hatred after criticizing Maduro in a voice message, according to the NGO Justice, Encounter and Pardon.
Maduro has said his aim this Christmas season is to protect his people’s “right to happiness.”
However, tensions remain high as the United States has increased its naval presence in the Caribbean, sinking vessels it accuses of drug trafficking and intercepting oil tankers linked to Venezuela.
Washington claims Caracas supports drug trafficking and terrorism, accusations Venezuela denies, arguing the U.S. is attempting to undermine Maduro’s government and seize control of the country’s vast oil reserves.
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