Venezuela frees dozens detained during protests against Maduro

"Authorities in Venezuela have released at least 60 people arrested during protests against President Nicolas Maduro's re-election, according to a human rights advocacy group, though campaigners say hundreds remain behind bars. The releases began early on Thursday, over Christmas, according to the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, a group of rights activists and relatives of detainees arrested during unrest that followed July's presidential election."

"Maduro secured a third term in office in the July 2024 vote, a result rejected by parts of the opposition amid allegations of fraud. The disputed outcome triggered weeks of demonstrations, during which authorities arrested about 2,400 people. Nearly 2,000 have since been released, according to rights groups. Despite the latest releases, Venezuela still holds at least 902 political prisoners, according to Foro Penal, an NGO that monitors detentions."

"Relatives said many of those freed had been held at Tocoron prison, a maximum-security facility in Aragua state, roughly 134km (83 miles) from the capital Caracas. Officials have not publicly clarified the conditions under which detainees were released. We must remember that there are more than 1,000 families with political prisoners, Baduel said. Her father, Raul Isaias Baduel, a former defence minister and once an ally of the late president, Hugo Chavez, died in custody in 2021."

Authorities released at least 60 people arrested during post-election protests early on Thursday over Christmas. The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners consists of rights activists and relatives of detainees arrested after the July presidential election. The group celebrated the releases and continues to press for full freedom of all political prisoners. President Nicolas Maduro secured a contested third term in July 2024, prompting weeks of demonstrations during which authorities arrested about 2,400 people. Nearly 2,000 detainees have been released, but at least 902 political prisoners remain detained according to monitoring NGO Foro Penal. Many of those freed had been held at Tocoron maximum-security prison in Aragua. Officials have not clarified release conditions. More than 1,000 families are affected.

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