Venezuela on Saturday released 17 political prisoners from a jail in the capital, Caracas, as a new law granted amnesty for crimes historically used to lock up dissidents.
The landmark law, which was adopted last month, is one of the most significant reforms championed by Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who succeeded Nicolas Maduro after his Jan. 3 capture by US forces.
The non-governmental organization Foro Penal said that more than 621 political prisoners have been released since Maduro’s ouster, but about 500 remain behind bars.
Photo: EPA
Family members have been clamoring for their release for weeks, including a group of women in Caracas who staged a nearly week-long hunger strike.
Outside the capital’s national police facility, known as Zone 7, family members had chained themselves to prison gates, while some had spent weeks sleeping in tents.
“Get dressed; everyone’s leaving,” a guard told the freed detainees, according to Omar Torres, a political activist who spoke to reporters as he walked free.
“I feel very happy,” he said. “I don’t think this is the time to blame anyone. I’m happy to be free.”
The Venezuelan government claims that more than 7,000 people have been granted full freedom, including prisoners in jail and those on parole.
However, unlike prisoners from other jails who had their cases dismissed, Zone 7 detainees must appear in court to reinstate their full freedom.
“We will continue seeking improvement and freedom for the other political prisoners,” said Brayan Orozco, son of former Venezuelan lawmaker Fernando Orozco, both of whom were released from Zone 7.
“Thanks to the people of Venezuela,” Brayan Orozco said, amid cries of “freedom, freedom,” hugs and tears of joy.
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