While the government of Nicolás Maduro assured on Thursday, December 25, that 99 people were released after the 2024 protests, The NGO Foro Penal has verified only 45 releases of political prisoners.
During the early hours of Christmas Day, relatives began to receive news of the releases of several political prisoners held in different penitentiary centers in the country. The majority had been arrested after protests over the results of the presidential elections of July 28, 2024, mainly for crimes of terrorism, vandalism and conspiracy.
Difference in figures in releases of political prisoners
On Thursday, the Ministry for the Penitentiary Service reported in a statement that the 99 releaseees had participated in “acts of violence and incitement to hatred” during the protests. According to the Executive, the releases demonstrate “commitment to peace, dialogue and justice.”
Criminal Forumhowever, has verified only 45 releases from December 25, leaving a difference of 54 people compared to the official announcement. Human rights organizations and family members have requested the publication of an official list to confirm the identity of those released.
The Venezuelan Prison Observatory and Foro Penal have reported similar releases throughout 2025, but warn that new arrests and critical detention conditions continue in several centers linked to the 2024 protests.
Foro Penal records that 902 political prisoners remain deprived of liberty, most of them detained after the post-election protests. The government, meanwhile, denies the existence of political prisoners and maintains that those detained are people involved in “punishable acts.”
NGOs insist that the number of political prisoners continues to be alarming, and warn that partial releases “do not replace the responsibility of the State to guarantee justice and full freedom.”
List of released political prisoners verified by Foro Penal
Aragua Penitentiary Center (Tocorón):
- Andrew Jhosep Morales Ynojosa
- Luis Eduardo Perozo Piñero
- Oriel David González Machado
- Israam Daniel Chirinos Goyo
- Alexander de Jesús Lara Figueredo
- Joswil Enyelbeth Parra
- Andrés Jesús Contreras López
- Luis Zuley Marcano Guerra
- Reinaldo Miguel Rivera Aguilera
- Eleazar José Rossell Yance
- Diego Alejandro Chacón Benitez
- Jesus Gabriel Jimenez Arguinzones
- Alfredo Alejandro Rondón Betancourt
- Frank Alexander Revilla Alvarado
- Carlos Jesús Montaño Albarrán
- Javier José Ríos Fajardo
- Savior of Jesus Hill Lamb
- Winder Bellorín García
- Rubén Darío Yelas Navarro
- Deiby Enrique Chiquito Camacho
- Federico Gonzalez
- Daniel Jesus Acacio Coello
- Eduark Leonardo Ramírez
- Jesus Francisco Gomez Gonzalez
Western Penitentiary Center (CPO) Santa Ana del Táchira
- María Elena Becerra Chacón
- Marggie Xiomara Orozco Tapias
- Jenny Elizabeth Núñez Rivera
- Alayne del Pilar Rangel Gómez
The Crisálida – Los Teques (Miranda)
- Carla Mileiby González Rodríguez
- Michelle Daleiska Rodríguez González
- Rosmayer Yenimar Castillo Colmenares
- Stefany Lourdes Díaz Colmenares
- Marielba Delgado de Rodríguez
- Laura Virginia Colmenares Terán
- Ornella Laidy Silva Álvarez
- Yarely Trinidad Reina Rodríguez
Ana María Campos Women’s Training Center (Zulia)
- Venus Ninoska Nava Fuenmayor
- Anny Isabel Molina Vasquez
“Simón Bolívar” New Man Training Center (Old Plant)
- William de Jesús Radaelli Mijares
- Ruperto Antonio Contreras
Caraballeda Detention Center for Women and Adolescents
Adolescent Care Entity “Ciudad Caracas” – El Cementerio (Caracas)
PNB Chivacoa Headquarters – Bruzual (Yaracuy)
Sebin headquarters, Carirubana (Falcón)
