'NOT political prisoners!' - Venezuela announces release of over 400 detained politicians, cites law violations

'NOT political prisoners!' - Venezuela announces release of over 400 detained politicians, cites law violations

"Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez stated that more than 400 people have been released since December 2024, insisting they are 'not political prisoners' but individuals convicted of "offences against the law and the Constitution," speaking during a parliamentary session in Caracas on Tuesday. "People who called for an invasion – they were indulged; people who called for military aggression against Venezuela were indulged; people who promoted violence, disunity, and division were indulged," he elaborated. "To date, there are more than 400 people released, the first 160 on December 23, 2024," Rodriguez announced. He added that the release "will continue to happen, and not because you ask us to, it is because the Bolivarian government had already announced it as a unilateral gesture of the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." The National Assembly president also criticised the Venezuelan non-governmental human rights organisation Foro Penal, stating that it is a discredited body for charging people who raise the issue of release. "It charges money in a crafty and mean way. Rubbish, that way in which Foro Penal uses the situation of people deprived of liberty," he proclaimed. The list of released prisoners was made available to opposition lawmakers, as Rodriguez urged them to promote peaceful coexistence."

'NOT political prisoners!' - Venezuela announces release of over 400 detained politicians, cites law violations

'NOT political prisoners!' - Venezuela announces release of over 400 detained politicians, cites law violations

"Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez stated that more than 400 people have been released since December 2024, insisting they are 'not political prisoners' but individuals convicted of "offences against the law and the Constitution," speaking during a parliamentary session in Caracas on Tuesday. "People who called for an invasion – they were indulged; people who called for military aggression against Venezuela were indulged; people who promoted violence, disunity, and division were indulged," he elaborated. "To date, there are more than 400 people released, the first 160 on December 23, 2024," Rodriguez announced. He added that the release "will continue to happen, and not because you ask us to, it is because the Bolivarian government had already announced it as a unilateral gesture of the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." The National Assembly president also criticised the Venezuelan non-governmental human rights organisation Foro Penal, stating that it is a discredited body for charging people who raise the issue of release. "It charges money in a crafty and mean way. Rubbish, that way in which Foro Penal uses the situation of people deprived of liberty," he proclaimed. The list of released prisoners was made available to opposition lawmakers, as Rodriguez urged them to promote peaceful coexistence."

'They are firm and strong' - Maduro's son urges national unity, praises parents' courage following US detention

'They are firm and strong' - Maduro's son urges national unity, praises parents' courage following US detention

"Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of former president Nicolas Maduro and a lawmaker in Venezuela's National Assembly, said on Tuesday that his parents remain 'firm and strong' despite their detention in the United States. Footage shows demonstrators riding through the streets of Caracas in a motorcycle caravan, calling for the release of their detained leader. Maduro Guerra can later be seen delivering a speech about his parents to the crowd. "Yesterday, we received a message from him [Nicolas Maduro] and from her [Cilia Flores]," the lawmaker announced. "They tell us they are firm and strong," he affirmed. "That they have peace of mind and their faith placed in God and in the people of Venezuela. That they trust Delcy and the team that is leading, and that they trust us." Maduro Guerra called for national unity, saying that in times of doubt there must be "political clarity, ideological clarity and a commitment to seeking truthful sources of information". The mobilisation drew thousands of transport workers from across the country, who voiced their rejection of the US operation in Venezuela. During the US military operation on January 3, American forces captured and detained Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Currently, both are being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn, New York, on accusations of alleged acts of narco-terrorism. Acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, has described the US operation as a 'stain' on bilateral relations, although she insisted that Venezuela 'is not at war' and will prioritise its sovereignty."

'They are firm and strong' - Maduro's son urges national unity, praises parents' courage following US detention

'They are firm and strong' - Maduro's son urges national unity, praises parents' courage following US detention

"Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of former president Nicolas Maduro and a lawmaker in Venezuela's National Assembly, said on Tuesday that his parents remain 'firm and strong' despite their detention in the United States. Footage shows demonstrators riding through the streets of Caracas in a motorcycle caravan, calling for the release of their detained leader. Maduro Guerra can later be seen delivering a speech about his parents to the crowd. "Yesterday, we received a message from him [Nicolas Maduro] and from her [Cilia Flores]," the lawmaker announced. "They tell us they are firm and strong," he affirmed. "That they have peace of mind and their faith placed in God and in the people of Venezuela. That they trust Delcy and the team that is leading, and that they trust us." Maduro Guerra called for national unity, saying that in times of doubt there must be "political clarity, ideological clarity and a commitment to seeking truthful sources of information". The mobilisation drew thousands of transport workers from across the country, who voiced their rejection of the US operation in Venezuela. During the US military operation on January 3, American forces captured and detained Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Currently, both are being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn, New York, on accusations of alleged acts of narco-terrorism. Acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, has described the US operation as a 'stain' on bilateral relations, although she insisted that Venezuela 'is not at war' and will prioritise its sovereignty."