CARACAS: Venezuelan authorities released at least 60 people detained during protests against President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election early on Christmas Day (Dec 25), according to a human rights advocacy group.
The arrests followed mass demonstrations after Maduro secured a third term in July 2024 elections that were widely criticised by the opposition and international observers as fraudulent. Authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown in which about 2,400 people were detained, though nearly 2,000 have since been released.
Despite the latest move, rights groups say hundreds remain behind bars. Foro Penal, a Venezuelan legal NGO, says there are at least 902 political prisoners currently held across the country.
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The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, an organisation made up of activists and relatives of detainees, said the releases began early on Thursday and described them as long overdue.
“We celebrate the release of more than 60 Venezuelans, who should never have been arbitrarily detained,” said committee head Andreina Baduel in comments to AFP.
“Although they are not entirely free, we will continue working for their full freedom and that of all political prisoners,” she added.