At least 87 people detained for protesting Venezuela’s disputed July 2024 election were reported released on Jan. 1, rights groups and relatives said, marking a second group release in a week. The moves come as the U.S. steps up pressure on Caracas — including naval deployments and strikes the U.S. says target drug trafficking. Independent monitors have questioned some government release numbers, and hundreds remain believed to be held for political reasons.
Venezuela Frees Dozens More Political Prisoners As U.S. Pressure Intensifies, Rights Groups Say
A child waves a flag in front of a banner that says 'Free all political prisoners' during an antigovernment protest in January 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela [Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images]
The Venezuelan government has released at least 87 people jailed for protesting the disputed July 2024 election, rights groups and relatives said, marking the second mass release in a week amid growing pressure from the United States.
New Releases Reported From Tocorón Prison
Two monitoring organisations — the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners and the Committee of Mothers in Defense of the Truth — confirmed on social media that new releases were reported on the morning of Jan. 1, with relatives and activists citing Tocorón prison in Aragua state as the location of the latest group freed.
“On the morning of January 1, mothers and relatives reported new releases of political prisoners from Tocorón prison in Aragua state,” the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners wrote.
Caracas had previously announced the release of 99 detainees on Dec. 25, describing that action as “a concrete expression of the State’s commitment to peace, dialogue and justice.” Independent monitors later said that Foro Penal was only able to verify 61 of those releases at the time.
Context: Election Dispute and Unrest
President Nicolás Maduro declared victory in the July 2024 vote, saying he won a third six-year term. The opposition and independent experts have disputed the official count: independent analyses indicated that opposition candidate Edmond Gonzalez won by a large margin. Maria Corina Machado — the banned opposition leader who initially could not run — has recently surfaced in Oslo after months in hiding.
The disputed election sparked nationwide protests that left at least 28 people dead and prompted thousands of arrests. Official figures cited in reports say roughly 2,000 people have been released since the unrest began, but more than 700 people are still believed to be detained for political reasons.
U.S. Pressure And Military Moves
The contested election has helped justify an intensified U.S. campaign of pressure on Maduro’s government. U.S. officials have accused Maduro of enabling or running drug-trafficking activities they say threaten U.S. security. Since August, the Pentagon has increased military assets off Venezuela’s coast, and the U.S. administration has announced strikes targeting infrastructure and vessels it says are used by drug traffickers.
Authorities and rights groups disagree on the conduct and consequences of those operations: the U.S. says the strikes target criminal networks, while rights groups warn the strikes have resulted in civilian deaths and may amount to extrajudicial killings. Media and rights reports say more than 100 people have been killed in such strikes so far.
From exile, María Corina Machado has expressed support for diplomatic and pressure measures by the U.S., while remaining cautious about military strikes on Venezuelan territory. Venezuelan experts note that many opposition factions oppose U.S. military action, revealing divisions within the anti-Maduro movement.
While the latest releases may reflect an attempt by Caracas to appear conciliatory, questions remain about the scale and verification of the government’s claims. Rights groups continue to call for transparent investigations, the release of all political prisoners held without due process, and independent monitoring of any further detentions or releases.
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