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Venezuela releases more political prisoners after opposition talks / Photo: © AFP
Venezuela releases more political prisoners after opposition talks
More than three dozen political prisoners were released between Friday and Saturday, a rights group reported, after US-backed talks between Venezuela's interim government and the opposition.
Human rights group Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon (JEP) said 39 political dissidents were freed from various prisons, including eight women accused of "narco-terrorism" in 2021.
In their statement on X, JEP vowed to "remain vigilant and continue to demand full freedom for all those who are still waiting."
On Friday, interim president Delcy Rodriguez's government and the opposition conducted a second round of negotiations, talks that are proceeding with Washington's approval after the US military's ouster of president Nicolas Maduro in January.
The most recent tally from NGO Foro Penal, which defends political prisoners, said there were 344 such prisoners in the country as of September 18.
Family members of political prisoners have staged ongoing protests outside the US embassy in Venezuela and the El Rodeo I prison, which NGOs consider a torture center.
Among the confirmed releases were six people accused of working with the United States in an attempt to overthrow Maduro in 2020.
Under pressure from the US, Rodriguez enacted an amnesty law in February, though the rate of releases has been slow.
J.Michalak--GL
