Venezuela announces release of 131 political prisoners FAST-MOVING

political prisoners amnesty law Venezuela negotiations human rights excarceration

Venezuelan authorities have announced the release of 131 detainees through alternative liberty measures, a move made under a national amnesty law approved in February. The Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence stated that these judicial measures were requested by the Public Ministry to re-evaluate the legal status of individuals accused of crimes against democratic institutions, peace, and national development.

The releases occur alongside ongoing political negotiations between the government and opposition delegations, a process supported by the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the release of these political prisoners as a “crucial step” for the nation's reconciliation process.

Human rights organizations, including Foro Penal, have been verifying the releases. Among those freed are several high-profile political prisoners, including Emirlendris Benítez, who had been detained since 2018. Benítez, whose case was highlighted by the UN Fact-Finding Mission, suffered severe torture during her imprisonment. Other released individuals include Yolimar Alemán, Daniel Zambrano, and Marifrancys Marcano. While the government highlights the amnesty law as the mechanism for these releases, opposition leaders and NGOs continue to demand full and unconditional freedom for all remaining political prisoners.

Entities

Coalición por los Derechos Humanos y la Justicia · Daniel Zambrano · Delcy Rodríguez · Dinorah Figuera · Emirlendris Benítez · Foro Penal · Igbert Marín · Marco Rubio · Nicolás Maduro · Venezuela · Yolimar Alemán

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 5 SOURCES] Emirlendris Benítez was sentenced to 30 years in prison. nuevodia.com.ve · elestimulo.com · www.tvn-2.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Alfredo Romero, president of Foro Penal, confirmed the release of Emirlendris Benítez and five other women. nuevodia.com.ve · elestimulo.com · www.tvn-2.com · deultimominuto.net · foropenal.com
[● 7 SOURCES] Emirlendris Benítez suffered torture that resulted in a miscarriage. nuevodia.com.ve · elestimulo.com · www.tvn-2.com · eltiempove.com · theobjective.com · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Opposition leader Dinorah Figuera committed to promoting the release of political prisoners. www.tvn-2.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela included Benítez's case in its report. nuevodia.com.ve · elestimulo.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Yolimar Alemán and Daniel Zambrano were also released. nuevodia.com.ve · elestimulo.com · eldiario.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Yolimar Alemán, Daniel Zambrano Arias, and Marifrancys Marcano were among those released. nuevodia.com.ve
[● 3 SOURCES] Emirlendris Benítez and five other women were released. nuevodia.com.ve · deultimominuto.net · elestimulo.com
[DISPUTED] Foro Penal verified the release of 45 political prisoners by 5:30 p.m. www.martinoticias.com · focoinformativo.site · foropenal.com
[● 11 SOURCES] The Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence announced alternative measures to imprisonment for 131 people. theobjective.com · alertas24.com · www.20minutos.es · oem.com.mx · wixx.com · +5 more
[DISPUTED] Foro Penal confirmed the release of at least 40 political prisoners. www.laopinioncoruna.es · noticiasdeaqui.co · www.martinoticias.com · focoinformativo.site · cronica.uno · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The measures were agreed upon by the courts of the Republic, at the request of the Public Ministry. theobjective.com · www.martinoticias.com · alertas24.com · www.20minutos.es · lavozdelprm.org · +1 more