US-Backed Talks Free 39 Political Prisoners In Venezuela

More than three dozen political prisoners walked out of Venezuelan jails after a second round of talks backed by Washington. The interim government and the opposition met to secure these freedoms. Human rights group Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon (JEP) confirmed 39 dissidents were freed between Friday and Saturday. They came from various prisons. Eight women accused of "narco-terrorism" in 2021 walked free. Six others faced charges for working with the United States during a 2020 attempt to overthrow former President Nicolas Maduro.

"We will remain vigilant and continue to demand full freedom for all those who are still waiting," JEP stated on X. The negotiations happened on Friday between interim President Delcy Rodriguez and opposition leaders. Rodriguez was once Maduro's vice president. These talks occurred with US approval since Washington removed Maduro in January. An earlier round of discussions in August focused on unfreezing Venezuelan funds overseas to aid recovery from June's earthquakes. That disaster killed more than 6,300 people. The group also discussed reforming the judiciary.

Rodriguez enacted an amnesty law in February under US pressure, though releases have moved slowly. Foro Penal, a rights group tracking political detentions, noted 344 people remained classified as political prisoners as of September 18. That number dropped from 391 on August 10. The government claimed it freed 131 people then under a separate "alternative measures" programme. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called that earlier batch a "crucial step" for the country's reconciliation. He said more than 1,000 Venezuelans had been released since Maduro's removal.

Families of these political prisoners have staged ongoing protests outside the US embassy in Caracas and El Rodeo I prison. Rights groups consider that facility a torture centre. The scene remains tense as communities wait for further action.