Venezuela grants 131 prisoners alternative detention measures after US-brokered dialogue with opposition

Government announces 131 alternative detention measures

Venezuela's government announced on Friday, 14 August, that 131 prisoners have been granted "alternative liberty restriction measures" through the country's Peace and Democratic Coexistence program. The statement, shared on X by Communications Minister Miguel Pérez Pirela, said the measures were agreed by the republic's courts at the request of the Public Ministry. The government did not detail what the alternative measures entail. The announcement came two days after the conclusion of the first cycle of dialogue between the ruling chavismo movement and a sector of the opposition, a process promoted by the United States.

Confirmed releases and remaining prisoners

Foro Penal, the NGO that provides legal representation for detainees, reported 391 political prisoners in Venezuela and confirmed 29 releases as of 4:30pm local time on Friday. El Mundo later cited Foro Penal confirming at least 40 releases. Deutsche Welle reported that at least six women were freed, including Emirlendris Benítez, who was allegedly linked to a 2018 assassination attempt against then-president Nicolás Maduro. Alfredo Romero, director of Foro Penal, announced on X:

Political prisoner Emirlendris Benítez and five other women released.

El Mundo, citing various human rights organizations, reported that between 375 and 500 political prisoners had remained in custody before the latest releases.

Spanish-Venezuelan prisoner among those freed

The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (Clippve) published a photograph of Spanish-Venezuelan prisoner María Auxiliadora Delgado Tabosky alongside four other women after they left the INOF prison. Delgado Tabosky had spent seven years in prison, which El Mundo described as being "simply for being the sister of a rebel military officer." Clippve said the image symbolizes "a tireless struggle for the freedom of women who should never have been behind bars and who suffered cruel and inhuman treatment."

US involvement and broader amnesty framework

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio celebrated the releases on social media, stating that the freeing of more than 130 political prisoners is "a crucial step for the nation's reconciliation process." Rubio said that since 3 January, 1,046 people have been freed in Venezuela, and that Washington continues monitoring the process of in-person talks with interim authorities. The releases fall under an amnesty law announced by interim president Delcy Rodríguez at the end of January, targeting prisoners held for political or ideological reasons. Deutsche Welle reported that the amnesty law has benefited more than 8,000 people, mostly with restricted liberty. The law also aims to close the Helicoide detention center operated by SEBIN, the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, and convert it into a cultural and sports space.

Opposition response and dialogue outcomes

Dinorah Figuera, former president of the 2015 National Assembly who leads the opposition sector negotiating with chavismo under direction from the US State Department, reacted cautiously. She said she received the news "with hope for the reunion of Venezuelan families" but added that not all prisoners had been freed and that they deserve full freedom. The first round of face-to-face talks produced an agreement on Wednesday, 12 August, to renew all judges of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), which had been criticized for serving the government. Figuera had committed on Thursday to working for more releases in the coming days.