Eighty-Eight More Protesters Freed in Venezuela Following Election Unrest

Venezuela’s government has released 88 more people detained after protests following the country’s disputed July 2024 election, marking the second large-scale release in two weeks amid mounting U.S. pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s administration.

The latest release, which took place on New Year’s Day, comes shortly after the government announced the freeing of 99 detainees on December 26 — bringing the total number released within two weeks to 187. In an official statement, the government described the move as part of a “comprehensive review process” of detention cases ordered by President Maduro.

According to the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, a Venezuelan non-governmental organization, at least 55 of the newly released individuals were confirmed freed, with most coming from the Tocorón prison in central Venezuela. However, several human rights groups have questioned the government’s figures, suggesting that the actual number of freed detainees may be lower. NGOs in the country estimate that around 900 political prisoners remain behind bars, including some held prior to the 2024 election.

The Venezuelan government maintains that it does not hold political prisoners, insisting instead that the detainees were “imprisoned politicians” involved in efforts to destabilize the nation.

These releases coincide with renewed pressure from the United States, whose President Donald Trump has urged Maduro to step down, saying it “would be smart” for him to do so. Washington has also intensified its regional presence, carrying out military operations in the Caribbean, striking vessels it claims were transporting drugs, and seizing two tanker ships carrying Venezuelan crude oil.