Khaberni - An organization concerned with prisoners' rights in Venezuela revealed on Monday that dozens of prisoners were released on Sunday as the United States continues to pressure the interim government to release hundreds of opposition members imprisoned during the ousted President Nicolas Maduro's administration.
Alfredo Romero, head of the "Foro Penal" organization, stated in a post on the "X" platform that 266 political prisoners have been released since January 8, when the Venezuelan government promised to release a large number of prisoners, which it described as an attempt to foster national reconciliation.
Journalism student
The organization also reported that about 600 opposition prisoners are still detained in Venezuela, including many members of the "Vente Venezuela" party, led by opposition leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Maria Corina Machado, according to The Associated Press.
According to human rights organizations, among those released this weekend was an opposition activist, a human rights lawyer, and a journalism student who was imprisoned in March after he posted complaints about the sewer system in his hometown and was charged with "inciting hatred".
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote in a post on his platform "Truth Social": "I am pleased to announce that Venezuela is releasing its political prisoners at an accelerated rate, and it is expected to increase in the coming period."
Arrest of Maduro
It is worth mentioning that on January 3, the US army arrested Maduro and his wife Celia Flores in an operation in Caracas. Both are now awaiting trial in New York on charges of drug trafficking and other charges.
Long before the operation, the Trump administration was pressing the Maduro government to release political prisoners.
