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3w ago

Venezuela Frees Over 100 Political Prisoners as NGOs Challenge Official Count

Rights groups dispute the government's tally, seeking UN verification.

Ricardo Gámez, left, leaves prison after being released in Tocuyito, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacinto Oliveros)
Carlos Andres Perez, right, embraces his cousin upon his release from prison in Tocuyito, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacinto Oliveros)
Venezuela frees 104 political prisoners, rights group says

Overview

  • Foro Penal verified at least 104 releases on Sunday and said more cases were being checked.
  • The acting government says 626 prisoners have been freed since December, a figure rights groups describe as inflated.
  • Foro Penal reports 266 people released since January 8 and maintains that hundreds remain jailed, including 777 counted on January 19.
  • Many of those freed have not received full liberty, with restrictions such as bail, court orders, media gags or travel bans and no comprehensive official list.
  • Acting President Delcy Rodríguez plans to ask UN rights chief Volker Türk to verify release lists, as international pressure continues and those freed include lawyer Kennedy Tejeda and student Juan Francisco Alvarado.