The Venezuelan regime released, in the early hours of this Saturday (14), another 17 political prisoners who were being held in the prison known as Zone 7, located in the Boleíta neighborhood, Caracas, a few hours after family members began a hunger strike to demand the release of all political prisoners who are being held there.
The releases were announced by the president of the National Assembly (Parliament of Venezuela), Chavista Jorge Rodríguez, and confirmed by the NGO Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, which monitors and reports cases of arbitrary detention in the country.
According to the NGO, seven women and ten men were released this Saturday. The organization identified them as José Elías Torres, general secretary of the Venezuelan Workers Confederation; trade unionist William Lizardo; young Gabriel Sánchez and Gilmary Alcalá; as well as Zulma Lasala, Gilmary’s mother.
The hunger strike began this Friday (13), when family members of the prisoners, who had been camped since January 8th near the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), announced the protest. A few hours after the start of the demonstration, Chavista Jorge Rodríguez reported, via social media, that the 17 releases would take place “within the framework of the Amnesty Law”.
Even after their release, family members continued their hunger strike. The group declared that the measure will continue until all political prisoners are released in Venezuela. Posters with the phrase “Families on hunger strike” were displayed in front of the Zona 7 detention center, as reported by the Venezuelan portal Cocuyo effect.
According to the NGO Foro Penal, which also counts the number of political prisoners in Venezuela, 644 people remain imprisoned in the country for political reasons – 564 men and 80 women.
The Venezuelan Parliament, controlled by Chavismo, postponed until next week the second and final debate on the amnesty bill, which faces disagreements over an article that requires those prosecuted and convicted to present themselves to justice.
