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7 freed as Venezuela begins release of political prisoners

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Credit: Vladimir Villegas

Seven detainees have been released in Venezuela as authorities begin a process to free political prisoners, according to local media reports. At least three Venezuelans and four Spanish nationals had been released as of late Thursday night.

In a statement issued at 10:15 p.m. local time, the opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria said those freed include Venezuelans Rocío San Miguel, Biagio Pilieri, and Enrique Márquez. The group said the three were the only Venezuelans confirmed released at that time and expressed hope that additional releases would follow “until the freedom of all political prisoners is achieved.”

The coalition said four citizens of Spain were also released. It said it had confirmation of the release of seven people in total as of Thursday night.

The releases follow an announcement earlier Thursday by Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, who said the government had decided to release “a significant number” of Venezuelan and foreign detainees.

Rodríguez said the decision was intended to contribute to national unity and peaceful coexistence but did not specify how many people would be released or identify the beneficiaries. He did not clarify whether those released would receive full exoneration of the charges against them.

Following the announcement, family members and observers gathered near detention facilities, including El Helicoide in central Caracas and El Rodeo prison in Miranda, according to Noticias Telemundo. Relatives began waiting outside the prisons in the afternoon after authorities said releases would take place.

Human rights group Foro Penal estimates that more than 800 political prisoners were being held across Venezuela prior to the government’s announcement.

Venezuelan authorities announced the releases days after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and, according to Venezuelan officials, caused dozens of deaths.

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