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Venezuelan Political Prisoners Released Without Full Liberty

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Venezuelan political prisoners were released from El Rodeo I prison but without full liberty, requiring them to report to a tribunal every 30 days.
  • Among those released were Jorge Jiménez, 20, and Christian Quintero, who were detained for over a year and four months respectively, and linked to alleged terrorist plans.
  • Lawyer José Moreno, who represented a U.S. mining company, was also released after nearly three and a half years, expressing confusion over his charges and thanking U.S. officials for their support.

Several Venezuelan political prisoners have been released from El Rodeo I prison, though not with full liberty. According to those who spoke to EFE, they are required to report to a tribunal every 30 days following their release.

Jorge Jiménez, a 20-year-old from Cojedes state, faces a significant commute for his monthly appearances, as he lives over 200 kilometers from Caracas and has no family in the capital. Despite these conditions, Jiménez expressed gratitude for his freedom after more than a year in detention, stating, "Thank God we are free, I still don't believe it." He also called for the release of others still imprisoned for political reasons.

Gracias a Dios ya estamos libres, yo no me lo creo todavía

— Jorge JiménezJorge Jiménez expressed his disbelief and gratitude upon being released from prison.

Christian Quintero, who was detained in September of last year, also shared his relief. He described enduring four months without family visits or contact, highlighting the harsh conditions within the "concentration center." Quintero thanked supporters and family for their help and must also adhere to the 30-day reporting requirement.

Ese centro de concentración en el que estábamos es muy fuerte, de verdad, gracias a Dios estamos acá afuera, gracias a todas las personas que nos apoyaron, a nuestros familiares

— Christian QuinteroChristian Quintero described the harsh conditions in the detention center and thanked his supporters.

Both Jiménez and Quintero were accused by authorities of involvement in alleged terrorist plots. Lawyer José Moreno, who represented a U.S. mining company, was also released after three years and four months. Moreno stated he does not understand why he was considered a traitor or conspirator, especially since he claims he met some of the alleged co-conspirators only in prison. He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others supporting political prisoners, hoping for immediate change and elections in Venezuela this year.

The NGO Foro Penal, which tracks political prisoners, confirmed 64 releases by 8:00 PM local time on Friday. The government had previously announced 131 releases, occurring two days after the first round of U.S.-promoted dialogue between the government and the opposition concluded.

Todavía yo no tengo ni idea de por qué soy considerado traidor a la patria, conspirador y asociado con unas personas que las vine a conocer aquí, (...) y me quitaron mis bienes y lo que me queda ahora es esta camiseta de preso

— José MorenoLawyer José Moreno expressed his confusion regarding the charges against him and the confiscation of his assets.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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