The Chavista regime, led temporarily by Delcy Rodríguez after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the US, released at least 24 political prisoners in a night operation this weekend, according to the NGO Foro Penal reported this Monday (12).
According to the statement, among those released are Venezuelan citizens and foreigners, of Italian nationality, who were detained in the La Crisálida and El Rodeo 1 prisons. The organization continues to investigate other releases this Monday.
As of last weekend, only 17 political prisoners had left prison in Venezuela, while at least 803 people remain incarcerated for political reasons, according to Foro Penal.
Among the names on the list of prisoners released so far are several Spanish citizens, including Andrés Martínez Adasme, Ernesto Gorbe, José María Basoa, Miguel Moreno Dapena and the activist opposing the regime Rocío San Miguel (Spanish-Venezuelan citizen).
These authorizations for the release of political prisoners are seen as part of US pressure on Venezuela following the capture of Maduro on January 3. Since the announcement of the first releases, family members of detainees have gathered in front of the country’s main prisons, awaiting news about their loved ones.
The releases have occurred gradually and without official announcements from the regime’s leadership.
Following the death of a detained police officer, family members of political prisoners intensified calls for the immediate release of all those incarcerated, fearing that more deaths will be announced.
