Rights groups say Venezuela releases dozens of political prisoners

A leading human rights group in Venezuela says at least 80 political prisoners have been released under pressure from the United States.

Alfredo Romero, the head of the Criminal Forum, said his group was verifying the identities of those released from prisons across the country on Saturday and that more could be released.

This is the latest group of detainees to be released since the U.S. Capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro He was brought to New York in a raid earlier this month to face trial on drug trafficking charges.

On Friday, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said more than 600 prisoners had been released, but the Penal Law Forum said that number was exaggerated.

Romero announced the news on social media. He also posted a photo of Foro Penal colleague Kennedy Tejeda, saying he had been held since August 2024 in the Tocolon prison west of the capital, Caracas.

Foro Penal lawyer Gonzalo Himiob posted on X that the number of releases could exceed 80 “as we verify.”

It comes after the Criminal Law Forum said many people released in recent weeks The charges against them have not yet been dropped.

The group said this put them in legal trouble and barred them from speaking publicly.

Before this weekend’s developments, the organization confirmed that only 156 political prisoners had been released since January 8.

Those confirmed for release so far include some domestic opposition figures and at least five Spanish nationals.

Separately, Rodriguez said she would have a phone call with U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Monday to ask the U.N. to verify the list of those released so far.

Rights groups and activists have long accused the government of using detentions to silence critics. The Venezuelan government denies holding political prisoners, insisting they are arrested for criminal activities.

Many were detained after the 2024 presidential election, when Maduro declared victory despite opponents and many countries contesting the results.