Venezuela says 131 political prisoners freed amid post-Maduro talks

What the report says

Venezuela said it has freed 131 people it considers political prisoners, presenting the move as part of a broader push for national reconciliation after the removal of former President Nicolas Maduro. According to the interim government, those released were granted “alternative measures from incarceration” through the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence. The releases came as US-brokered talks between the government and the opposition were underway.

The freed detainees were seen reuniting with relatives outside El Rodeo I prison in Guatire, east of Caracas. Opposition group Vente Venezuela said it had independently confirmed the release of 43 people, while the rights organization Foro Penal said at least 40 had been freed and noted that more political prisoners remained in custody. Foro Penal also said 17 women were among those released.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the release a significant step in Venezuela’s reconciliation process. On social media, he said more than 1,000 Venezuelans had been released since Maduro was overthrown and detained earlier this year, according to the article. Opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa welcomed the freeing of detainees but said all political prisoners should be released without delay.

The talks, led by representatives from the government and opposition, have also focused on retrieving frozen overseas funds and judicial reform. The joint statement issued after the first round did not mention political prisoners, but many Venezuelans hope the negotiations could open the way to democratic elections after disputed votes in 2018 and 2024.