Venezuela Releases 131 More Political Prisoners

Venezuela on Friday released another 131 people considered political prisoners, in what is being viewed as a significant development in ongoing efforts toward national reconciliation and reconstruction following the ouster of Nicolas Maduro by US forces.

According to AFP, Venezuela’s interim government said the prisoners were released under its “Peace and Democratic Coexistence Programme”, allowing them to remain outside prison under alternative arrangements.

Outside the El Rodeo-1 prison near the capital Caracas, AFP journalists witnessed emotional reunions between former prisoners and their families. Some relatives had spent months waiting outside the prison hoping to see their loved ones released.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Friday’s releases as an important step in Venezuela’s reconstruction process.

He said that 1,046 Venezuelans had been released since January 3.

Human rights organisation Foro Penal, which campaigns for the release of political prisoners, said six women were among the latest group released. One of them had been accused of involvement in an alleged plot to assassinate Maduro.