As part of a recent deal with the US, the Venezuelan government released Peruvian-American prisoner Arturo Gallino Rullier, who is already on his way to the United States. But experts warn that hundreds of other prisoners remain behind bars, with the release only slow and partial.
One American citizen was released from a Venezuelan prison on Friday as part of a deal Caracas struck with Washington this month. According to the human rights organization Foro Penal, the man is on his way back to the United States, reports TASR based on the AFP agency.
- Venezuelan authorities released the American prisoner under a deal.
- The released man is on his way back to the United States.
- According to observers, the release of political prisoners is very slow.
- The Venezuelan president is trying to improve relations with the US.
“We confirm… the release of the Peruvian-American political prisoner ARTUR GALLIN RULLIERA. He is already on his way to the US. He was detained in Rodeo I prison,” Gonzalo Himiob of Foro Penal confirmed on Platform X. Authorities in Caracas detained him last November.
The government of Venezuela’s interim president, Delca Rodriguez, agreed with the United States on January 8 to release people considered by human rights organizations to be political prisoners. She took this step just five days after the US military operation, during which ex-president Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured.
The numbers are still high
According to family members and observers, the release of prisoners is very slow and about 711 people are still behind bars, including 65 foreigners. The Venezuelan government says it has freed more than 800 people since last year, but NGOs believe that in reality the number of people freed since December is half that. According to Foro Penal, slightly more than 300 political prisoners have been released since Rodriguez took office.
According to AFP, the interim president is trying to establish good relations with the United States in other areas as well. US President Donald Trump has agreed to work with Rodriguez as long as she follows instructions from Washington, particularly regarding the country’s oil reserves.
