The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, has released 103 individuals who had been imprisoned in connection with violence and crimes during the country’s controversial July election.
The release, announced by the citizen security service, occurred over a 72-hour period, from Tuesday through Thursday. The government cited Maduro’s directive to review cases related to the election, which the opposition had accused him of rigging.
The 103 released prisoners are in addition to 225 individuals who were granted “precautionary measures” on November 26. These measures allowed the detainees to be released but required them to report to court monthly.
Despite these gestures, the Venezuelan government has refused to release data that could help substantiate Maduro’s victory, which has been widely disputed. The Venezuelan electoral authority declared Maduro the winner of a third term on July 28, though the opposition, led by Edmundo Gonzalez, claimed widespread fraud. Protests erupted across Venezuela, with demonstrators demanding transparency and an end to what they considered a stolen election.
The government responded harshly to the opposition’s protests, with security forces clashing with demonstrators, resulting in at least 28 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Thousands were arrested, while opposition figures continued to face increasing pressure. Earlier this week, three regional leaders from the opposition party Vente Venezuela were detained.
Edmundo Gonzalez himself fled to Spain in September, seeking asylum after facing pressure, threats, and coercion. Other opposition figures have also sought refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas, amid continued government harassment. Argentina’s government accused Venezuela of violating international law by restricting essential services and harassing the asylum seekers.
The situation remains tense as the Venezuelan government maintains control over the narrative surrounding the disputed election while opposition members face escalating repression.
