Venezuela released 99 prisoners on Christmas Day in a move described by the government as a goodwill gesture amid ongoing evaluations of arrests made after President Nicolas Maduro’s disputed reelection in 2024.
“The national government and the justice system have decided to evaluate each case individually and, in accordance with the law, released 99 citizens as a concrete expression of the State’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and justice,” said the Ministry of Penitentiary Services.
The prisoners had been detained for “participation in acts of violence and incitement to hatred” following post-election unrest on July 28, 2024. Tens of thousands of demonstrators protested the results, with opposition leader and ex-ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia claiming victory. About 2,400 people were initially arrested in the aftermath, and nearly 2,000 have since been released.
The release conditions for the 99 individuals freed on Thursday remain unclear, with AFP awaiting comment from the Prosecutor’s Office. Among the released was Marggie Orozco, a 65-year-old physician held for “treason, incitement to hatred, and conspiracy” after criticizing Maduro via a voice message, according to the NGO Justice, Encounter and Pardon.
The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, a local advocacy group, welcomed the releases. “We celebrate the release of more than 60 Venezuelans who should never have been arbitrarily detained,” said committee head Andreina Baduel. She added that work continues to secure the freedom of all political prisoners in the country, which currently number at least 902, according to the NGO Foro Penal.
The detainees were reportedly held at the Tocorón maximum-security prison in Aragua state, approximately 134 kilometers from Caracas.
President Maduro framed the gesture within his message for the holiday season, emphasizing his desire to safeguard his people’s “right to happiness.”
However, the country remains under tension due to heightened military activity in the Caribbean. The United States has deployed a naval fleet targeting alleged drug-smuggling operations linked to Venezuela, reportedly resulting in over 100 deaths since September.
Washington has also intercepted Venezuelan oil tankers as part of sanctions enforcement, while Maduro’s government has consistently denied the allegations, accusing the US of attempting to overthrow him and seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
The Christmas Day release of prisoners comes at a critical time as Venezuela navigates internal dissent, international pressure, and ongoing political unrest.
