Dozens of detainees held during protests against Venezuela’s contentious presidential election have been released, according to Foro Penal, a local human rights group.
Early Saturday, Alfredo Romero, Foro Penal’s leader, reported that 50 individuals were freed from Tocorón prison in Aragua state and 20 others from three separate facilities. Video footage outside one of the prisons captured emotional reunions as those released embraced their loved ones, surrounded by cheering supporters.
The releases come amid international scrutiny of Venezuela’s political crisis and the death of a protester in custody. Jesús Manuel Martínez Medina, an opposition activist with the Vente Venezuela party, had been detained since August 2. He was hospitalized on October 11 and passed away while under medical care. The Attorney General’s office confirmed his death Friday, citing “adequate medical attention” but did not specify when it occurred.
Election Controversy Sparks Turmoil
The July presidential election plunged Venezuela into crisis after electoral authorities—widely seen as loyal to President Nicolás Maduro—declared him the winner with 51% of the vote. Opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez contested the results, backed by tallies published by the opposition suggesting his victory.
Maduro’s contested reelection has drawn condemnation from multiple countries, which refuse to recognize the outcome. He begins his third six-year term in January, continuing his rule under the left-wing "Chavismo" ideology inherited from his predecessor, Hugo Chávez.
Protests and Crackdown
The election has spurred widespread protests, resulting in the detention of over 1,800 demonstrators, according to Foro Penal. Human Rights Watch has reported credible accounts of 24 fatalities during the government’s crackdown on the unrest.
The Attorney General’s office announced plans to review the cases of more than 200 individuals still detained, signaling the possibility of further releases. However, the opposition and international observers remain critical of Maduro’s government, accusing it of systemic human rights abuses and undermining democratic institutions.
This latest development underscores Venezuela’s deepening political and humanitarian crisis, with no clear resolution in sight.