On Thursday, Venezuela’s Ministry of Labour and Penitentiary Services announced the release of 99 people detained after the 2024 presidential elections. During the Christmas celebrations, several NGOs highlighted that these releases were part of a broader programme in which over 2,400 individuals were arrested in 2023‑2024, most of whom were later freed.
Although the state claims it has no political prisoners, many NGOs and opposition parties argue that most detainees are political prisoners and that their release is tied to so‑called "coercive" measures.
"The state guarantees rights and legal compliance for all released individuals," the ministry’s spokesperson said in an official statement.
The administration also emphasized that amid an "imperialist blockade and longstanding international aggression," the justice system continues to work to maintain peace, justice and national sovereignty.
