The Venezuelan government released 71 prisoners on Thursday, Christmas Day, as part of a release of individuals detained in connection with the 2024 demonstrations protesting the controversial election victory of Nicolás Maduro, according to Venezuelan news outlet, El Nacional.
The Committee of Mothers in Defense of the Truth–a human rights organization based in Venezuela–applauded the move by the government, but remained critical of the government's continued detainment of hundreds of other Venezuelans alleged to be persecuted by the government for protesting the presidential election victory of Maduro in July of 2024.
This most recent presidential election received tremendous pushback from the Venezuelan political opposition and international bodies that condemned the results amid widespread accusations of fraud and abuse.
Although the Committee celebrated the release of dozens of prisoners from several detention facilities throughout the country, the organization, which advocates on behalf of Venezuelan political prisoners and their families, is committed to remaining outspoken in defense of countless other families whose members have been separated following the presidential crackdown.
“It is an important achievement, but insufficient, therefore we demand the full freedom of all through a General Amnesty”, the Committee stated to the local press.
The release, which consisted of a total of 65 men, three women, and three teenagers, comes amid unprecedented tensions between the Maduro government and the United States concerning the latter's large-scale military build-up along the South Caribbean corridor.
Since September, the Pentagon has engaged in targeted military strikes on suspected drug boats carrying illicit narcotics throughout the region’s seas, and is now actively seizing sanctioned oil tankers with links to the Maduro government.
The release of the 71 prisoners also comes one week after Foro Penal, a separate Venezuela-based NGO, released a report outlining the “arbitrary detention” of over 900 political prisoners, also arrested for suspected links to the 2024 protests, noting that many among the incarcerated are children and foreign nationals.
The Committee of Mothers in Defense of the Truth released a statement on Instagram, expressing gratitude to supporters, writing:
“Your support has been fundamental in keeping us going during the toughest times. Please, don't leave us alone. Injustice continues to affect hundreds of families across the country.”
