NGO Reports Release of Two Detained in Venezuela Since 2022

Two individuals detained in Venezuela since 2022 on terrorism charges have been released, according to the NGO Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPP). Jackson Vera and Ricardo Cariel were freed this Friday, ending their prolonged detention.

CLIPP stated that Vera and Cariel have been prominent figures in the fight for political prisoners' release. The organization described their legal process as arbitrary and lacking sufficient evidence. "They waited for years for justice that was slow to arrive, but today, they can finally reunite with their families," CLIPP announced via X.

Foro Penal, another human rights group, confirmed that both men faced charges including terrorism, criminal conspiracy, and resisting authority. The release comes after Foro Penal's director, Gonzalo Himiob, reported a halt in the release process. He noted that this process had been announced multiple times before a recent earthquake on June 24.

Foro Penal currently counts 372 political prisoners in Venezuela, comprising 347 men and 25 women. The Venezuelan government maintains that no one is imprisoned for political reasons, asserting that all detainees are held for committing crimes. This claim is contested by numerous NGOs and opposition parties.

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They waited for years for justice that was slow to arrive, but today, they can finally reunite with their families.