Ex-Political Prisoners Urge More Releases in Venezuelan Dialogue

A group of former political prisoners and their families met with Venezuela's opposition delegation, urging them to push for further releases of detainees. The meeting took place as the opposition engages in dialogue with the government.

Roberto Marrero, a political leader who was himself detained and later exiled, shared on Instagram that the group convened to discuss the freedom of those "still unjustly behind bars." He praised the commission, led by former legislator Dinorah Figuera, for its work towards a "transition" following Nicolás Maduro's apprehension by the United States in January.

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Today we met (...) families of political prisoners and former political prisoners to talk about the freedom of those who still remain unjustly behind bars.

Figuera confirmed the meeting, stating that the delegation received a communication from the former prisoners and their families, which will be presented at the negotiation table. She reiterated the commission's commitment to achieving "a democratic and free Venezuela."

According to the NGO Foro Penal, there are currently 382 political prisoners in Venezuela. This figure follows hundreds of releases this year, spurred by government-ordered amnesties and a law passed in February that primarily benefited those with restricted freedom. The ongoing dialogue, facilitated by the United States, involves the government and a faction of the opposition, excluding prominent leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González.

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We held a meeting with former prisoners and families of political prisoners, who handed me a communication that we will take to the table.