Venezuela Releases At Least 100 Political Prisoners

CARACAS, Jan 26 (Bernama-dpa) -- A human rights group said that at least 100 political prisoners had been released by the Venezuelan government on Sunday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

The head of Foro Penal (Penal Forum), Alfredo Romero, said his group had verified the identities of 104 of those freed.

"It would be ideal if the government published lists of those released," Romero wrote on the social media platform X.

Foro Penal estimates there are about 800 political prisoners in the South American country, many of whom were arrested during protests against the disputed 2024 re-election of authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro.

On January 3, the United States (US) military seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a strike on Caracas. Both are now awaiting trial in New York on drug trafficking and other charges.

Long before the operation, US President Donald Trump's administration had been pressuring Maduro's government to release political prisoners.

With the latest releases, the number of people freed following the US operation has risen to at least 240, according to various organisations.

--BERNAMA-dpa