Venezuela frees 131 prisoners amid post-Maduro transition talks

Venezuela released an additional 131 prisoners on Friday, as part of the ongoing transition talks aimed at reconciling the nation following Nicolás Maduro's removal by US forces. These individuals had been granted alternative measures instead of incarceration under the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence. The freed prisoners were seen tearing up with joy upon reuniting with their families outside the El Rodeo I prison in Guatire, 31 miles east of the capital, Caracas.

According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the release of more than 130 political prisoners is a crucial step for Venezuela's reconciliation process. Since January 3rd, 1,046 Venezuelans have been released, and six women, including one accused of participating in an assassination plot against Maduro, have also been freed. Foro Penal, a rights group advocating for the release of alleged political prisoners, confirmed the release of at least 40 political prisoners.

The release of political prisoners comes a day after opposition figure Dinorah Figuera, leading formal talks with the interim government, vowed to fight for the release of political prisoners. The first round of US-brokered talks, which began last week, concluded on Wednesday. Both sides agreed to work on retrieving frozen funds from overseas to aid recovery from the devastating June earthquakes and to reform Venezuela's judiciary, though the issue of political prisoners was not addressed.

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013 with an increasingly authoritarian approach, was widely accused of arresting political opponents and activists on fabricated charges of coup plotting. Following Maduro's seizure by US forces in early January, the interim government, led by his deputy Delcy Rodriguez under pressure from Washington, allowed hundreds of prisoners to be released. Rodriguez also introduced a historic amnesty law in February.

As of Monday, Foro Penal reported that 391 political prisoners remained incarcerated. Figuera stated on X, "Not everyone has been released, and they all deserve full freedom. Let's continue to demand this tirelessly until every citizen is reunited with their family." Among those freed was Emirlendris Benitez, whose director, Alfredo Romero, confirmed on X that she was among dozens arrested after an incident in 2018 where two drones packed with explosives flew towards Maduro during a military parade in Caracas.

Benitez, who was four months pregnant, was arrested alongside her partner Yolmer Escalona, both of whom denied involvement in the plot but were sentenced to 30 years in prison. Human rights groups claim Benitez was tortured during her detention, leading to a miscarriage and partial paralysis.