Families of Venezuelan Political Prisoners Hold Vigil Outside US Embassy in Caracas

Families of political prisoners have set up a camp of tents and tarps in front of the United States embassy in Caracas, maintaining a vigil that has lasted for four consecutive nights and a five‑day encampment. They are demanding that chargé d'affaires John Barrett press the Venezuelan government to free those detained for political reasons. The protest follows a longer series of demonstrations, including a 153‑day vigil near the former El Helicoide detention centre.

The demonstrators cite reports that about 389 people are held as political prisoners, among them more than 80 detainees linked to a PDVSA smuggling case. They reference U.S. statements, such as those by Secretary of State Marco Rubio noting the closure of El Helicoide, and repeatedly chant “¡Libertad a todos los presos políticos!” while quoting family members: “Ya basta de tanto dolor, libertad a todos los presos políticos ya.” The U.S. embassy has not issued a public response to the encampment.