Venezuelan authorities have released an additional 223 prisoners arrested during post-election protests, the prosecutor’s office announced on Monday, bringing the total number of detainees freed to 956.
Over 2,400 people were arrested and at least 28 killed following widespread demonstrations against President Nicolás Maduro’s declared victory in the July elections, which the opposition contended was fraudulent.
The public prosecutor’s office stated, “In coordination with the criminal courts, a new group of cases was reviewed today.” The release process began last month and has been met with pressure from the families of the detainees, many of whom have been holding protests and vigils, hoping for releases before Christmas.
While only a few countries, including Venezuela’s key ally Russia, have recognized Maduro’s reelection to a third term, rights group Foro Penal has contested the government’s claim regarding the number of individuals freed.
Those arrested in the aftermath of Maduro’s victory announcement were charged with terrorism and incitement to hatred before being sent to maximum-security prisons. The protests were triggered by claims from opposition leader María Corina Machado, who argued that their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, had won. The opposition released their own results showing a landslide victory, but the electoral council declared Maduro the official winner without releasing detailed official results.
Three of the detainees — aged 36, 43, and 44 — died in custody, and several others have reportedly attempted suicide, according to family members.
