Human rights activists, opposition members, and a minor: Maduro's other political prisoners

"The Venezuelan government's announcement on Christmas Eve that it would release 99 political prisoners has not yet been fully finalized. Little by little, families and lawyers are compiling lists of names and confirming whether the prisoners have actually been able to leave jail. Releasing political prisoners is a tactic the Venezuelan government often uses to ease internal pressures or to negotiate agreements with the United States."

"But this time, the move is noteworthy for who is not being released. More than 900 people (174 of them military personnel) are still imprisoned for political reasons in 90 prisons across Venezuela. Among them are human rights defenders, opposition figures, several cancer patients, and a minor. Since 2014, over 9,000 people remain subject to judicial restrictions, according to Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal."

"The announcement by the administration of Nicolas Maduro largely applies to prisoners convicted of protesting after the 2024 presidential elections. It also includes people who were jailed for criticizing the government on social media, such as Dr. Marggie Orozco, sentenced to 30 years in prison for sending a WhatsApp audio message. The NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon (Justice, Reconciliation, and Forgiveness), which assists the families of prisoners,"

Venezuelan authorities announced on Christmas Eve intentions to release 99 political prisoners, but the releases have not been fully finalized and confirmations are ongoing. Families and lawyers are compiling lists and verifying who has actually left detention. Prisoner releases are often used to ease domestic pressure or negotiate with the United States. More than 900 people, including 174 military personnel, remain imprisoned for political reasons across 90 prisons. Among those detained are human rights defenders, opposition figures, several cancer patients, and a minor. Since 2014, over 9,000 people have been subject to judicial restrictions, according to Foro Penal. Selective releases risk re-victimizing those still detained and their families, who face indefinite uncertainty and lack clear criteria.

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