The releases were announced last Thursday under pressure from President Donald Trump, who claims to be ‘in charge’ of the country after capturing Maduro
A announced, this Monday (12), the release of 116 political prisoners as part of a slow release process announced last week, after the bombing of the and the capture of the deposed president,
The opposition and specialized NGOs, however, report lower numbers. Family members remain in anguish day and night in front of prisons, hoping to be among those who benefit.
The Ministry of the Penitentiary Service said in a statement that “these measures benefited individuals deprived (of liberty) for acts associated with disturbing the constitutional order and undermining the stability of the nation.”
The NGO Foro Penal reported that during the early hours of Monday there were 24 releases, including that of two Italians. The opposition announced the release of a youth leader.
“I welcome with joy and satisfaction the release of my compatriots Alberto Trentini and Mario Burlò, who are safe at the Italian Embassy in Caracas. I spoke to them and a plane has already left Rome to bring them back home”, celebrated Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on X, thanking the government of the interim Venezuelan president, Delcy Rodríguez.
A police officer arrested in December on charges of treason died on Saturday in custody.
Human rights groups estimate that there are between 800 and 1,200 prisoners for political reasons in Venezuela.
The releases were announced last Thursday under pressure from President Donald Trump, who claims to be “in charge” of the country after deposing Maduro. Trump praised the release process “in a big way”.
*With information from AFP
