Venezuela Releases 60 Post-Election Prisoners on Christmas Day

Venezuelan authorities released at least 60 individuals on Thursday who had been detained during the 2024 protests following President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection, a human rights NGO confirmed.

The post-election demonstrations erupted after Maduro secured a controversial third term in July 2024 amid allegations of electoral fraud. While about 2,400 people were initially arrested, nearly 2,000 have since been freed.

According to the local NGO Foro Penal, Venezuela still holds at least 902 political prisoners.

The recent releases began early on Christmas Day, the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners—a group of rights activists and relatives of detainees—reported.

“We celebrate the release of more than 60 Venezuelans, who should never have been arbitrarily detained,” said Andreina Baduel, the committee’s head, speaking to AFP.

She added, “Although they are not entirely free, we will continue working for their full freedom and that of all political prisoners.”

Details regarding the conditions of the release remain unclear. AFP reached out to the Prosecutor’s Office for clarification but received no immediate response.

Relatives reported that the detainees were held at Tocoron maximum-security prison in Aragua state, roughly 134 kilometers (83 miles) from Caracas.

“We must remember that there are more than 1,000 families with political prisoners,” Baduel said. Her father, Raul Isaias Baduel, a former ally of late President Hugo Chavez, died in prison in 2021.

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