Venezuela frees 39 political prisoners, group says

Venezuelan human rights group Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon said 39 political dissidents were released from prisons between Friday and Saturday after talks between the interim government and the opposition.

The group said the freed prisoners included eight women accused of "narco-terrorism" in 2021. It said it would continue to demand full freedom for those still detained.

The releases followed a second round of negotiations on Friday between interim president Delcy Rodriguez's government and the opposition, in talks proceeding with Washington's approval.

Among the reported releases were six people accused of working with the United States in an attempt to overthrow Nicolas Maduro in 2020.

Foro Penal, an NGO that defends political prisoners, said Venezuela had 344 political prisoners as of September 18. Family members of political prisoners have held protests outside the US embassy in Venezuela and the El Rodeo I prison, which NGOs consider a torture centre.

Rodriguez enacted an amnesty law in February under pressure from the United States, though releases have been slow.