Venezuela says it freed 131 political prisoners

Venezuela's interim government said Friday it had freed another 131 people considered political prisoners, amid transition talks aimed at reconciliation after Nicolas Maduro's removal by US forces.

The government said the 131 people had been granted “alternative measures from incarceration” under its Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence. Outside El Rodeo I prison near Caracas, AFP reporters saw several former prisoners reunited with their families.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the release “a crucial step” for Venezuela's reconciliation process and said 1,046 Venezuelans had been released since January 3.

Rights group Foro Penal, which advocates for alleged political prisoners, said later Friday that the release of at least 45 political prisoners had been confirmed. It earlier said six women had been freed, including Emirlendris Benitez.

Foro Penal director Alfredo Romero said Benitez was among those released. She was arrested after a 2018 incident in which two explosive-packed drones flew toward Maduro during a military parade in Caracas and blew up, injuring seven soldiers. Benitez and her partner Yolmer Escalona denied involvement, but were later sentenced to 30 years in prison. Human rights groups have said Benitez was tortured in detention, causing a miscarriage and partial paralysis.

The releases came a day after opposition figure Dinorah Figuera vowed to push for political prisoners to be freed during formal talks with the interim government. The first round of US-brokered talks began last week and ended Wednesday. A joint statement from the two sides said they had agreed to work on recovering frozen overseas funds for earthquake recovery and on reforming Venezuela's judiciary. It did not address political prisoners.

Foro Penal said 391 political prisoners remained behind bars as of Monday. Figuera wrote on X that “not everyone has been released” and said all deserved full freedom.