Venezuela Prisoner Releases: Slow Pace, Hundreds Remain Detained

Venezuelan Detainee Released Amid Maduro Capture, Limited Prisoner releases

Diógenes Angulo walked out⁤ of a ⁢Venezuelan prison Saturday, after a year and five months of detention, to news of a stunning development: the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S.forces. His family, appearing ⁣shocked, greeted him as he left the San Francisco de Yare ⁣prison,⁣ located about an hour south of⁣ caracas.

angulo was arrested two days before⁢ the 2024 presidential election for posting a video of an opposition demonstration in Barinas, the home state of the late President Hugo ⁢Chávez.

Upon his release, Angulo learned of Maduro’s capture on‍ January 3 in a nighttime raid in the⁤ capital, as reported by the Associated Press.

“Thank god, I’m going to ⁢enjoy my family again,” Angulo told the AP, adding that those still detained “are well” and hopeful for their own releases.

Families of prisoners have gathered for three⁢ consecutive days⁣ outside prisons in Caracas and other communities, seeking information about⁢ potential releases.

Venezuela’s government pledged on Thursday to release a notable number of prisoners. However, progress has been slow.

As of Saturday, only 11 political prisoners had been released, up from nine the ⁢previous ⁤day, according to Foro Penal, a Caracas-based ⁤prisoner advocacy group. The group reports that 809 remain imprisoned. It’s currently unclear ‍whether Angulo’s release was included in that initial group of 11.

Rocío San Miguel, one of the first ‍released activists who has since relocated to Spain, was described by a relative⁤ as having a⁣ release that ⁣”is” a step towards freedom for others.