At least 391 political prisoners have been released in Venezuela since January 8, when authorities announced the release of “a significant number” of people, according to a count published this Saturday by the largest opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD).
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“We demand massive, expeditious, public and transparent release processes that guarantee the freedom of all political prisoners,” the opposition bloc reiterated.
This Saturday, activists demanded the release of political prisoners, in a context in which Parliament promises to approve an amnesty law for these detainees, a proposal from the government in charge of Delcy Rodríguez.
Andreína Baduel – daughter of former Minister of Defense and soldier Raúl Baduel, who died in prison in 2021 after 12 years in detention – stated that “with or without amnesty law” the relatives will continue to “demand the full and immediate freedom” of the political prisoners.
The Venezuelan Parliament, with a large Chavista majority, approved on Thursday in the first vote the amnesty bill, which must now be evaluated in a second and final debate, which will be between Tuesday and Friday of next week.
The project excludes those prosecuted and convicted of serious violations of human rights, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, corruption and drug trafficking, indicated Congressman Jorge Arreaza, who presented the bill.
The NGO Foro Penal, which leads the legal defense of political prisoners in Venezuela, puts the total of these detainees at 687, although the Executive denies that they have been arrested for these reasons and assures that they committed crimes.
The Government in charge estimates the releases at 895 since December 2025, but has not published lists that allow the cases to be verified.
