The Venezuelan regime announced this Wednesday (14) the release of several journalists and press workers who had been arbitrarily detained in the country in recent years. In total, at least 15 journalists were released, including journalist and opposition activist Roland Carreño, according to information released by the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) and the National College of Journalists (CNP).
According to the SNTP, the releases are part of the gradual process of releasing political prisoners that began after the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro by United States forces. According to the union, the journalists had been arbitrarily detained at different times, mainly after the 2024 presidential elections, rigged by Chavismo.
According to the SNTP and the CNP, among the journalists released are, in addition to Carreño, names such as Nicmer Evans, Ramón Centeno, Carlos Marcano, Víctor Ugas, Leandro Palmar, Belices Cubillán, Julio Balza, Nakary Mena, Gianni González, Carlos Julio Rojas, Rafael García Márvez and Luis López.
As reported by Roland Carreño himself in a video posted on social media, the release took place in the early hours of this morning. The journalist stated that he hopes that the process of releasing political prisoners will take place “until there are no political prisoners left in the country”.
“It is neither good nor healthy for a country to keep prisoners for political reasons”, declared Carreño, who stressed that he was currently experiencing “strong emotions”.
Entities defending press freedom highlight that, despite the announced releases, other journalists and communication workers still remain detained in Venezuela. According to records from the CNP and SNTP, at least six journalists and communicators remain imprisoned in different prison units across the country.
The announcement comes amid pressure from the United States, which is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela after the operation on the 3rd. American authorities classified the release of political prisoners as a “step in the right direction”, but reinforced that they await the full release of the remaining prisoners.
