More than 100 political prisoners were released in Venezuela on Sunday, as detainees continue to be freed gradually under pressure from the United States, according to the non-governmental organisation Foro Penal.
“Foro Penal has verified the release of 104 political prisoners in Venezuela today,” the group said in a post on social media.
Earlier in the day, Foro Penal had reported that 80 political prisoners had been freed. Its director, Alfredo Romero, said on X that the organisation was still verifying the identities of those released from prisons across the country.
Foro Penal lawyer Gonzalo Himiob said the initial releases had taken place in the early hours of Sunday.
“This figure is not yet final and could increase as we continue our verifications,” he said, also posting on X.
The government of Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez—who took power after leftist president Nicolás Maduro was captured by US special forces earlier this month—has pledged to release a “large number” of the hundreds of Maduro opponents still held in detention.
Speaking on Sunday to oil workers in the eastern state of Anzoátegui, Rodríguez struck a defiant tone.
“Enough of orders from Washington about Venezuelan politicians. Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and internal conflicts. Enough of foreign powers,” she said.
“It has cost this republic dearly to face the consequences of fascism and extremism in our country.”
Authorities in Caracas say 626 detainees have been released since December, but Foro Penal has documented only about half that number over the same period.
Venezuela’s political opposition and human rights organisations have criticised the slow pace of the releases.
Relatives of detainees have meanwhile been camping outside prisons, awaiting news of their loved ones’ freedom.
