Families wait outside Caracas prisons after interim government pledges releases

Relatives of political prisoners waited for hours outside prisons in Caracas on Friday after Venezuela’s interim government said it would release an "important number" of imprisoned people, but as of Friday afternoon only nine had been confirmed freed. Family members sat under the scorching sun outside El Helicoide and Rodeo I, with some exhausted after nights on hourslong bus journeys from around the country.

Authorities at Rodeo I — which Foro Penal says holds almost 100 political prisoners — permitted the usual Friday visits. Some family members who spoke to The New York Times said their relatives had not known about the American attack and the ouster of Nicolás Maduro last week and had only learned of both events from visitors.

"My brother is very anxious, but very happy," said Mary López, whose brother Luis López, a journalist, has been detained for almost 19 months. Ángel Indriago said he took a 17-hour bus trip from Carúpano, Sucre State. Rights groups estimate that between 800 and 900 political prisoners are incarcerated in Venezuela.

Organizations say El Helicoide holds more than 50 political prisoners. The comparatively small number of confirmed releases and the apparent lag in further releases have created uncertainty among relatives. Rights groups complained of a lack of transparency and what they called "a cruel mockery" of detainees.

Key Topics

World, Political Prisoners, Caracas, El Helicoide, Rodeo I, Foro Penal