afp/dpa | In Venezuela, at least 104 people have been released in a new release of political prisoners. The head of the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, Alfredo Romero, wrote on Sunday in the short message service X that there had been prison releases throughout the country. The identities of 104 released people have already been verified, Foto Penal explained in online services. According to Romero, the number of those released could still increase.
The Venezuelan leadership has repeatedly released political prisoners after the violent deposition of head of state Nicolás Maduro during a US military operation in early January. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez – Maduro’s former deputy – relies on rapprochement with Washington and has promisedto release a “significant number” of political prisoners.
Criticism of Washington
On Sunday, however, Rodríguez appeared more confident. “The orders from Washington to politicians in Venezuela are enough,” she said in a speech. “Venezuelan politics should resolve our differences and internal conflicts,” she said, demanding: “Stop the foreign powers!”
The Venezuelan opposition and human rights organizations complain that the releases are progressing too slowly. Relatives of political prisoners have gathered in front of numerous prisons in the South American country in the hope of further releases.
Rodríguez also wants to work with critics
The new releases bring the number of people released after the US operation to at least 240 people, according to various organizations. According to Foro Penal’s previous information, more than 700 political prisoners were still in custody as of last week. The government in Caracas speaks of a total of 626 releases, but since December. The release of political prisoners is one of the biggest demands of the opposition.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who was vice president under Maduro, reiterated her willingness to work with the opposition over the weekend. “There can be no political or partisan differences when it comes to peace in Venezuela,” she said.
Controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner
However, Rodríguez criticized Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado without mentioning her by name. “It is shameful to see a self-described Venezuelan woman thanking the bombing and military aggression against Venezuela,” she said. Machado will have US President Donald Trump in the White House in mid-January presented her Nobel Prize medal.
After Maduro’s capture, Rodríguez is the figure within the Venezuelan government with whom Washington is negotiating directly – especially over the management of the country’s large oil reserves. Maduro is now in prison in New York. He is to be tried for suspected drug offenses.