Portugal reports four citizens remain detained in Venezuela

Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel confirmed that four Portuguese citizens remain detained in Venezuela for what the Portuguese government believes are political reasons. Of the four individuals, three are in effective imprisonment while one is under house arrest.

Although Venezuelan authorities have charged the individuals with common crimes, Rangel stated during a parliamentary hearing that the government maintains their convictions are political.

Regarding the broader situation in Venezuela, Rangel noted positive developments in dialogue with the transitional government, including the return of Maria Corina Machado to Caracas. Data from Foro Penal indicates there were 322 political detainees in Venezuela as of October 5, including 31 foreigners. Since 2014, the organization has documented 19,253 political detentions in the country.