Venezuela Frees Over 100 Protesters Following Disputed Election

The Maduro government has released detainees from post-election unrest as legitimacy concerns and international scrutiny intensify.

Venezuelan authorities announced the release of 103 protesters detained after the July presidential election, adding to 225 releases in November, though rights groups have confirmed fewer cases so far.
The July 28 election, which declared Nicolás Maduro the winner, was widely criticized for alleged fraud, including the lack of detailed voting data and suppression of opposition candidates.
The post-election crackdown left 28 people dead, nearly 200 injured, and over 2,400 arrested, with many detainees accused of terrorism and subjected to harsh conditions and alleged abuse.
Opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, who fled to Spain after facing arrest, continues to dispute the election results and has vowed to return to Venezuela in January to claim the presidency.
International pressure on the Maduro government has grown, with human rights groups and foreign governments condemning ongoing detentions, enforced disappearances, and harassment of opposition members.