End Arbitrary Detentions: Release Victims Now
- On January 8, 2026, the Venezuelan government released a small number of individuals arbitrarily detained, including prisoner of conscience Rocío San Miguel, Spanish nationals Jose María basoa and...
- "The end of each arbitrary detention is a necessary and long-awaited relief for the victims who have been released.
- Amnesty International demands their immediate release and that of the hundreds of persons who remain detained and whose families and communities await their freedom, following the announcements made...
Venezuela Releases Some Political Prisoners, Hundreds Remain Detained
On January 8, 2026, the Venezuelan government released a small number of individuals arbitrarily detained, including prisoner of conscience Rocío San Miguel, Spanish nationals Jose María basoa and Andrés Martínez, political leader Enrique Márquez, and journalist Biagio Pilieri. Though, Amnesty International reports that approximately 1,000 people remain politically motivated detainees in Venezuela, according to local civil society organizations.
“The end of each arbitrary detention is a necessary and long-awaited relief for the victims who have been released. The fact that unfairly detained persons, such as prisoner of conscience rocío San Miguel, have been able to reunite with their loved ones is good news,” said Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty international. “This does not mean these measures are enough, considering the fact that hundreds remain arbitrarily detained for political reasons, including human rights defenders such as Kennedy Tejeda, Javier Tarazona, Eduardo Torres, and Carlos Julio Rojas.”
Amnesty International demands their immediate release and that of the hundreds of persons who remain detained and whose families and communities await their freedom, following the announcements made by the Rodríguez government.
Amnesty International continues to call for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained in Venezuela.