Venezuela frees dozens of political prisoners

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Caracas: Venezuela freed 46 political prisoners on April 16, detainees’ families told AFP, the latest releases after the fall of autocratic leader Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela has released hundreds of political prisoners since US forces captured Maduro in a stunning raid on the capital Caracas on Jan 3.

A landmark amnesty law, which was adopted in February, is one of the most significant reforms passed by Maduro’s successor Delcy Rodriguez, under pressure from Washington.

But some 500 political prisoners remain behind bars.

Around 50 families gathered outside Yare prison south of Caracas on the evening of April 16 as prisoners emerged intermittently.

Most of those freed were among 173 workers from the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA who were arrested in 2025, accused of crimes such as smuggling, sabotage and corruption.