The Venezuelan Ministry for Penitentiary Service headquarters in Caracas. File photo.
The Venezuelan Ministry for Penitentiary Service announced that, as part of joint efforts with the judiciary, 88 people have been released from prison, who had been incarcerated for their involvement in the violent actions committed by the far-right following the July 28, 2024 presidential election.
This information was made public through a statement issued by the aforementioned ministry on Thursday, January 1, noting that these releases come from the comprehensive review of cases ordered by the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. In this review process, the Venezuelan State individually evaluates each case and, in accordance with the law, adopts precautionary measures as part of a humanitarian justice policy aimed at the preservation of peace.
Unofficial translation of the statement is provided below:
The Ministry of Popular Power for Penitentiary Service informs the country that, as part of joint efforts with the Justice System, 88 new releases have taken place in recent hours, of persons who had been imprisoned for crimes committed in the context of violent actions by extremist sectors following the July 28, 2024 electoral process—aimed at generating destabilization and disregarding the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people.
These releases are part of the comprehensive review of cases ordered by the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, through which the Venezuelan State individually evaluates each situation and adopts, in accordance with the law, precautionary measures as part of a humanitarian justice policy focused on the preservation of peace.
Despite the constant siege faced by the nation, the Venezuelan State guarantees priosners dignified treatment, respect for human rights, and comprehensive care, reaffirming the Venezuelan government’s commitment to act in defense of stability, social justice, and national sovereignty.
Caracas, January 1, 2026
Venezuela Releases 99 More Detainees for Post-Election Violence, Incitement of Hatred
This new measure comes a week after the last one reported on December 26, when precautionary measures were granted that led to the release of 99 citizens who had been detained for the same reasons.
Thus, within one week, 187 prisoners who had been incarcerated for the July 2024 electoral violence have been released. This, according to the Ministry for Penitentiary Service, is a concrete expression of the Venezuelan State’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and justice. However, the Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office has emphasized that these measures do not imply impunity.
On July 29, 2024, after the results of the presidential election were announced, the far-right opposition, led by MarĂa Corina Machado and Edmundo González, deployed its “terror squads” throughout Venezuela to sow chaos, destruction, and death. Twenty-eight people were killed in the ensuing violence.
On July 29, the day after the election, 21 people died at the hands of the fascists. The far-right groups continued their terrorist actions for 72 hours, causing destruction, siege, and terror, and leaving seven more dead in their wake over the course of those days. Five of these deaths occurred on July 30 and one on August 1. Another woman was killed on August 3, 2024, as reported by Diario Vea.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/SC/DZ
