Overview
- The penitentiary ministry announced case-by-case releases for 99 people detained after the July 2024 election, alleging involvement in violence and incitement to hatred.
- Independent counts fall short of the official figure, with Foro Penal earlier confirming at least 45 releases and later identifying 52, while another group reported 71 and all urged publication of an official list.
- Excarceration orders reported by families bar those released from leaving Venezuela, giving interviews or posting statements, contacting each other, and require court appearances every 30 days.
- Rights groups stress that hundreds remain jailed for political reasons, with Foro Penal listing 902 people in detention as of December 20.
- Opposition figures, including Vente Venezuela, label the move propaganda lacking guarantees and warn of ongoing threats to prisoners, even as media note this is the largest release reported this year.