Venezuela releases more than 100 political prisoners as government signals limited opening

Venezuelan authorities have released more than 100 people listed as political prisoners, according to the rights group Foro Penal, in what appears to be a partial easing of detentions following months of domestic and international pressure.

The Caracas-based organisation said at least 104 detainees were freed on Sunday, cautioning that the figure remained provisional and could increase as further releases are verified.

Among those released were Foro Penal lawyer Kennedy Tejeda and communications student Juan Francisco Alvarado. Tejeda, a human rights activist, had last been seen on August 2, 2024, when he visited a detention centre in Carabobo state to provide legal assistance to political prisoners, the NGO said.

“Our dear comrade Kennedy Tejeda, lawyer, human rights defender, political prisoner in Tocorón since August 2, 2024, has been released from prison. Now back at home with his family,” Foro Penal executive director Alfredo Romero said in a social media statement.

“We continue verifying other releases,” Romero added. “It would be ideal for the government to publish lists of releases.”

Foro Penal vice president Gonzalo Himiob described the total number of freed detainees as “non-definitive”, underscoring the lack of official transparency surrounding the process.

The releases follow public remarks by Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, who pledged to free prisoners detained under Nicolás Maduro. Speaking in her first media briefing after Maduro’s abduction by US special forces earlier this month, Rodríguez said the move marked the beginning of a “new political moment” allowing greater political and ideological diversity.

The government has claimed that more than 600 prisoners have been released in recent weeks, including Rafael Tudares Bracho, the son-in-law of opposition leader Edmundo González. Rights groups dispute those figures, with Foro Penal estimating that only around half as many detainees have been freed as the authorities assert.

Rodríguez said last week that she would speak with Volker Türk to request UN verification of the release numbers.

As of January 19, Foro Penal said 777 political prisoners remained in Venezuelan detention facilities, highlighting the gap between government announcements and independent counts.