Venezuela opposition confirms 25 more political prisoner releases; U.S. calls it 'crucial step'

The opposition coalition, Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD), reported on Monday that 25 more political prisoners have been released in Venezuela within the past 48 hours. This brings the total number of verified releases to 100, following an earlier report of 75 on August 15.

The PUD reiterated its demand for the "total vaciamiento" of detention centers, emphasizing that "nothing justifies that more than 460 innocents still remain behind bars." The coalition insists that only political will is needed to achieve mass, permanent, expeditious, public, and transparent liberations for all political detainees.

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We demand once again massive, permanent, expeditious, public and transparent liberation processes that guarantee the freedom of all political prisoners. To achieve the freedom of all, only political will is needed. Nothing justifies that more than 460 innocents still remain behind bars.

These releases are part of a process initiated by the national government, which announced on Friday that courts had granted 131 releases at the request of the Public Ministry. This measure was reportedly evaluated by the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, an entity established by interim president Delcy Rodríguez as part of pacification efforts. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the releases as a "crucial step" toward national reconciliation, noting that 1,046 Venezuelans have been freed since January 3rd and that the U.S. continues to monitor commitments related to a three-phase plan for stabilization, recovery, and political transition.

Despite these developments, human rights defenders and NGOs like Foro Penal caution that over 300 individuals remain deprived of liberty for political reasons. While civil organizations advocate for the full restoration of guarantees, the government maintains that those prosecuted are accused of common crimes.

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The recent release of over 130 political prisoners in Venezuela is a crucial step for the nation's reconciliation process. Since January 3rd, 1,046 Venezuelans have been released. As we continue to advance the three-phase plan, the United States continues to closely monitor the…