Venezuelan Opposition: Machado Presses for Release of 322 Political Prisoners
The Nobel laureate visited a detention camp in Guatire, citing a February amnesty law that authorities say has not freed all political detainees.
By Samantha Reed ·
María Corina Machado met with relatives of political detainees on Friday in Guatire, where activists have maintained a camp outside a maximum-security prison for over 300 days. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who returned to Venezuela nearly two weeks after a ten-month exile, visited the makeshift settlement near El Rodeo I prison, located 36 kilometers southeast of Caracas.
Machado addressed more than 100 family members gathered at the camp. She read a partial list of detainees held for periods ranging from months to two decades due to their political activities. "These are not all," she stated, noting that many Venezuelans and foreigners remain unknown because their families feared reporting their cases. She also highlighted that 23 political prisoners have died in custody since 2015.
The visit occurs amid ongoing tension regarding the implementation of an amnesty law signed on February 19. Although the law took effect earlier this year, officials have not released all individuals identified as political prisoners. The interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, assumed office on January 5, two days after a U.S. military operation captured former President Nicolás Maduro and transported him to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
Rights group Foro Penal reports that 322 people remain detained for political reasons. Families and local and international human rights organizations criticize the current release process, demanding full transparency and detailed information about the status of remaining inmates. They argue that the amnesty has not yet delivered the complete freedom promised by the new administration.
Diplomatic efforts are proceeding in parallel. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Washington with Venezuela's new foreign minister, Oliver Blanco. The State Department reported that the two officials discussed progress in Venezuela-led reconciliation talks, including institutional reforms intended to prepare for free and credible elections. Rubio also requested the release of the remaining political prisoners during the meeting.
The El Rodeo I facility holds dozens of individuals, most of whom were arrested during the administration of former President Nicolás Maduro, who served from 2013 to 2026. Machado emphasized that her mission is to ensure justice for victims and reparation for their families. She stated that the goal is full freedom for every political, civil, and military prisoner to prevent future occurrences in Venezuela.
