Venezuela Releases Detainees from Post-Election Protests Amid International Scrutiny

Venezuela Releases Detainees from Post-Election Protests Amid International Scrutiny

On Saturday, the Venezuelan government released some of the thousands of individuals detained during and after the deadly protests that erupted following the disputed July presidential election. The move came a day after the attorney general announced the review of 225 cases linked to the election aftermath, which both President Nicolás Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González claim to have won.

Harrowing Reunions and Conditions of Release

Tearful reunions took place outside prisons in various cities as detainees were freed. The non-governmental organizations Penal Forum and Venezuelan Prison Observatory confirmed the release of at least 70 individuals, while the后者 specified that the government had imposed certain undisclosed conditions on their release.

Tears and Joy at Prison Gates

Members of the armed forces escorted the released detainees down a pedestrian bridge at the prison in Tocuyito. Some knelt and raised their arms in triumph, while others assisted a third detainee who struggled to walk. A woman embraced her son with one arm and raised the other to the sky in gratitude, declaring, “My son, thank you, Lord, thank you!”

Demand for Release of All Political Prisoners

The Venezuelan Prison Observatory shared images on social media of women embracing loved ones outside another prison, describing the releases as a “victory.” The organization demanded the release of all individuals still detained for their roles in the election and its aftermath.

Government’s Arrest Tally and International Criticism

Maduro’s government has faced intense criticism for the lack of transparency in the election and the subsequent repression, including the arrest of political leaders, lawyers, poll workers, election volunteers, and protesters of all ages. The government’s arrest tally reached approximately 2,200 individuals.

Opposition Claims and Government’s Defense

Protests erupted after Venezuela’s electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner of the July 28 election, alleging that their website had been hacked and they could not publish precinct-level results. The main opposition coalition, on the other hand, claimed to have obtained vote tally sheets from over 80% of the voting machines and declared González the victor by a landslide.

UN Report and International Pressure

Government officials, including Attorney General Tarek William Saab, have defended the detentions, but Maduro recently urged Saab and judges to ensure “justice” in cases that may require rectification or review. In September, an independent United Nations report accused Venezuela’s government of intensifying its use of repressive tactics after the election, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and gender-based violence. Several countries, including Venezuelan allies, have called on Maduro’s government to release arbitrarily detained individuals and disclose detailed election results.