The Daily Journal – Relatives of political prisoners gathered in downtown Caracas on Monday to demand that authorities publish an official list of those released from prison and free all detainees whom they consider political prisoners.
The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPPVE) and the Alliance for the Freedom of Political Prisoners organized the demonstration, which began shortly after 11:00 a.m. at Parque Carabobo Square, across from the Attorney General’s Office, and proceeded toward the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace on Urdaneta Avenue.
Most participants were women and immediate relatives of the detainees. They carried photographs of their loved ones and signs with slogans such as “Not 131, but all of them.” Throughout the demonstration, organizers reiterated their rejection of the government’s official release figures. While the government has reported the release of 131 people in recent days, the committee maintains that more than 400 people remain detained in connection with politically related cases. The demonstrators therefore demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all of them.
Among their specific demands, protesters formally requested access for the Red Cross to detention facilities such as El Rodeo I, Yare and Fuerte Guaicaipuro. They also denounced poor prison conditions, emphasizing shortages of water, inadequate access to regular medical care and difficulties that inmates face when communicating with their lawyers and relatives. According to the protesters, the recent earthquakes have worsened these conditions.
Tensions arose during the demonstration when officers from the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) attempted to block protesters from advancing along Urdaneta Avenue.
Officers and demonstrators engaged in scuffles. During the confrontation, an officer pushed through the crowd and an elderly protester fell to the ground. Other demonstrators later helped her to her feet.
Despite the police cordon, protesters managed to move beyond the containment perimeter, and a five-member delegation delivered a document outlining their demands to officials at the Interior Ministry.
As of press time, authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the document or the release figures that the committee disputes. The Venezuelan government maintains that administrative and judicial reviews of individual cases led to the recent releases, although authorities have not published a list identifying those who left detention.
Organizers said they will continue demonstrating in the coming days and will consider additional measures to pressure authorities to respond to their demands.
