Venezuela releases dozens of political detainees amid heightened election calls
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
Dozens of political prisoners were freed in Venezuela following recent talks between interim President Delcy Rodríguez and U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting renewed opposition demands for free elections.
Venezuelan authorities released a number of political detainees on Saturday morning, human-rights groups said, days after interim President Delcy Rodríguez met U.S. President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly. Among those freed were Wilder Vasquez, sentenced in 2018 for alleged plots against former President Nicolás Maduro, and Miguel Castillo Cedeño, who had been held without charge since June 2019. Rights organization Foro Penal also reported the release of Frank Cabañas, who had spent nine years in prison after being linked to a police officer’s death, noting that he was the only remaining suspect despite reported health problems.
Foro Penal’s vice-president Gonzalo Himiob said “a significant number” of political prisoners were released from several detention centres, though the government has not commented on whether the releases were linked to Rodríguez’s talks with Trump. The interim administration has framed the releases as a goodwill gesture, while opposition leaders have used the moment to renew calls for free and transparent elections.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described the meeting with Trump as “a great triumph of the diplomacy of peace.” Opposition commentator Pedro Mario Burelli criticized the dialogue, arguing that it did not address the opposition’s demand for swift elections.