A collective of thirty-two former heads of state and government, integrated into the Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (Grupo IDEA), has demanded this Saturday the unconditional release of all citizens—both civilian and military—who remain deprived of their liberty for political reasons in Venezuela. In a statement of profound importance for the region's institutional future, the experts emphasized that the restoration of the rule of law requires not only the release of detainees but also the immediate repeal of repressive laws that sustained these actions. Among the signatories are prominent international figures such as José María Aznar (former Prime Minister of Spain), Mariano Rajoy (former Prime Minister of Spain), and Álvaro Uribe Vélez (former President of Colombia). This call follows similar demands from former Argentine President Mauricio Macri. However, figures on released prisoners vary: the Unitary Democratic Platform (PUD) reports at least 391 releases since January 8, while the transitional government cites 895 since December 2025. The Venezuelan Penal Forum, an NGO, maintains a record of 687 detainees still in custody. The Grupo IDEA expressed concern over the amnesty bill currently debated in Venezuela's National Assembly, warning that as long as the legal framework for persecution remains, freed citizens will remain vulnerable to what they describe as an arbitrary judicial system. The group insists that a transparent legal framework is essential to ensure full freedom and the definitive closure of arbitrary trials.
