Venezuela releases 131 political prisoners amid transition talks

political prisoner release Venezuela transition Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence interim government national reconciliation

Venezuela's interim government has announced the release of 131 political prisoners through the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence. The measure involves granting alternative liberty restriction measures rather than full pardons, a decision made by courts at the request of the Public Ministry.

Notable releases include judge María Lourdes Afiuni, who was granted full release after nearly 17 years of detention, and Emirlendris Benítez, who had been imprisoned since 2018. Other released individuals include Yolimar Alemán, Daniel Zambrano, and Marifrancys Marcano. The NGO Foro Penal has been working to verify these releases, confirming at least 45 individuals as of Friday.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the releases as a “crucial step for the nation's reconciliation process,” noting that 1,046 Venezuelans have been released since January 3, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. While the interim government and U.S. officials view this as progress in the ongoing political transition and dialogue, opposition figures like Edmundo González have emphasized that these releases do not erase the consequences of years of arbitrary imprisonment and have called for the release of all remaining political detainees.

Entities

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

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Emirlendris Benítez was sentenced to 30 years in prison. www.tvn-2.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Alfredo Romero, president of Foro Penal, confirmed the release of Emirlendris Benítez and five other women. www.tvn-2.com · deultimominuto.net · foropenal.com
[● 9 SOURCES] Emirlendris Benítez suffered torture that resulted in a miscarriage. www.tvn-2.com · theobjective.com · www.20minutos.es · jovempan.com.br
[● 6 SOURCES] Opposition leader Dinorah Figuera committed to promoting the release of political prisoners. www.tvn-2.com · www.martinoticias.com · theobjective.com · jovempan.com.br
[● 2 SOURCES] The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela included Benítez's case in its report.
[● 4 SOURCES] Yolimar Alemán and Daniel Zambrano were also released.
[● 4 SOURCES] Yolimar Alemán, Daniel Zambrano Arias, and Marifrancys Marcano were among those released. www.europesays.com
[● 10 SOURCES] Emirlendris Benítez and five other women were released. deultimominuto.net · theobjective.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · www.20minutos.es · contrapodernews.com · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Foro Penal verified the release of 45 political prisoners by 5:30 p.m. www.martinoticias.com · foropenal.com
[● 27 SOURCES] The Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence announced alternative measures to imprisonment for 131 people. theobjective.com · www.20minutos.es · oem.com.mx · wixx.com · noticiasdeaqui.co · +16 more
[● 16 SOURCES] Foro Penal confirmed the release of at least 45 political prisoners. noticiasdeaqui.co · www.martinoticias.com · cronica.uno · foropenal.com · wtop.com · +9 more
[● 17 SOURCES] The measures were agreed upon by the courts at the request of the Public Ministry. theobjective.com · www.martinoticias.com · www.20minutos.es · wtop.com · nuevodia.com.ve · +6 more