The Venezuelan government has released several political prisoners. The prison administration spoke of 99 prisoners being released, the human rights organization Foro Penal only confirmed 45.
The people were there Protests against the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro was arrested last year. Observers see the election as unfree and unfair. Hundreds of people were arrested and several killed during the protests.
Hundreds of political prisoners
The government in Venezuela takes repressive action against political opponents. According to Foro Penal, there are more than 800 political prisoners in the South American country. International organizations and activists accuse the Venezuelan emergency services of serious human rights violations.
In recent days, Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado warned that political prisoners could be killed in custody. The opposition leader called for the release of all political prisoners. Machado previously served on the US administration of President Donald Trump expressed their full support in the action against the government.
US attacks off Venezuela
Maduro has been in power since 2013. His re-election in 2018 was not internationally recognized. As a result, sanctions were imposed against Venezuela. Maduro’s power apparatus relies primarily on the military and police. The country has been in an economic crisis for years. More than 80 percent of the population in the once rich country with large oil reserves lives below the poverty line.
Most recently, the conflict between the USA and Venezuela escalated after the US armed forces massed numerous warships, combat aircraft and soldiers off the coast of Venezuela. The US military attacked numerous ships that were alleged to be drug boats. Critics blame the US Violations of international law before. Maduro accuses the US government of to force a change of power in Venezuela.
