Venezuela Says 116 Political Prisoners Released

 Venezuela Says 116 Political Prisoners Released

The Venezuelan government has announced the release of 116 political prisoners, a move it says is part of ongoing efforts to review cases linked to political unrest in the country.

In a statement on Monday, Venezuela’s Ministry of Penitentiary Services said those freed had been detained for alleged actions related to attempts to destabilize the country and undermine constitutional order. The ministry did not provide a full list of names but said the releases followed legal and administrative reviews.

However, human rights groups have disputed the government’s figures. The NGO Foro Penal, which tracks political detentions in Venezuela, said the number of people actually released so far appears to be significantly lower than the official claim, adding that it is still verifying cases on the ground.

The announcement comes amid heightened political tension and increased international scrutiny of Venezuela’s human rights record. Over the years, opposition groups and rights organizations have accused the government of using arrests and prolonged detention to silence critics, accusations the authorities have consistently denied.

Some foreign nationals were reportedly among those released, including two Italian citizens, according to Italian officials, who confirmed they are now under the protection of their embassy in Caracas and are expected to return home soon.

While the government has portrayed the releases as a positive step, critics argue that hundreds of political detainees may still remain in custody, calling for transparency and independent verification of all releases.

The situation continues to draw attention from the international community, with calls for broader reforms and guarantees of political freedoms in Venezuela.