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A group of 13 political prisoners were released this Sunday by the regime of Nicolás Maduro, among whom are former deputy Américo de Grazia and opposition leader Pedro Guanipa.
The news of the release was revealed by opposition leaders and elected representatives Henrique Capriles and Tomás Guanipa.
Capriles confirmed that they are "free: Víctor Jurado, Simón Vargas, Arelis Ojeda Escalante, Mayra Castro, Diana Berrío, Margarita Assenzo, Gorka Carnevalli, Américo de Grazia."
In addition, he specified that they received "house arrest: Nabil Maalouf, Valentín Gutiérrez Pineda, Rafael Ramírez, Pedro Guanipa, David Barroso."
"Today (Sunday), another step forward for those behind bars. Today, several families get to embrace their loved ones again. We know there are many more, and we do not forget them; we continue fighting for everyone," he wrote on X.
"Let there be no doubt: we will continue fighting for a country where no one is behind bars for their way of thinking. We have always said it and we stand by it: we will talk to whoever we need to talk to so that there is not a single political prisoner in our Venezuela!" he added.
Among those released are Ramírez Colina, former mayor of the city of Maracaibo, who was detained in October 2024, along with several former officials from his administration. Also included is the mayor of Cabimas, Nabil Maalouf, who was arrested in December of last year.
In addition to Pedro Guanipa, brother of Tomás and former director of the municipality of the city of Maracaibo, who was arrested in September 2024 when he was about to travel to Colombia.
"Being a relative of political prisoners is another way of being imprisoned. Life changes. The uncertainty and anguish are constant. Bringing food and medicines daily to two different prisons is a tremendous effort," said Tomás.
This week, President Donald Trump deployed a combat group in the Caribbean consisting of three guided missile destroyers (USS Sampson, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Gravely) and three amphibious ships (USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale).
Together, they transport 4,500 personnel, including an expeditionary force of 2,200 Marines, which grants Washington the capability to carry out a landing on Venezuelan shores if it so chooses.
The Pentagon has not disclosed the exact mission, but the White House asserts that the deployment aims to confront "narcoterrorist" organizations designated in the region.
Among them is the Cartel of the Suns, which U.S. prosecutors claim is run by Maduro and high-ranking members of his regime. Washington has raised the reward for the capture of the Chavista leader to 50 million dollars, an unprecedented amount in Latin America.
“Maduro is not a legitimate president; he is the fugitive leader of a narcoterrorist cartel,” stated spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, emphasizing that Trump is willing to use “every tool of American power,” from sanctions to the use of force.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Release of Political Prisoners in Venezuela and International Tension
Why did Maduro's regime release 13 political prisoners?
The regime of Nicolás Maduro released 13 political prisoners in response to pressure from the United States, which has been deploying military forces in the Caribbean and increasing the bounty for the capture of Maduro. This gesture may be interpreted as an attempt to ease international pressure and demonstrate an apparent willingness to engage in dialogue.
What role does the United States play in the situation of political prisoners in Venezuela?
The United States has been exerting pressure on the Maduro regime through economic sanctions, military deployment, and offering rewards for the capture of regime leaders. Washington seeks to confront the "narcoterrorist" activities in the region attributed to Maduro and his inner circle, as part of its efforts to promote the release of political prisoners and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.
How did the Venezuelan opposition react to the release of political prisoners?
The Venezuelan opposition, represented by figures such as Henrique Capriles, celebrated the release as a positive step, but insisted that many political prisoners still remain to be freed. Capriles emphasized that they will continue to fight so that no citizen is imprisoned for their political beliefs, reflecting the ongoing demand for justice and complete freedom for all those detained for political reasons.
What implications does the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean have for Venezuela?
The military deployment of the United States in the Caribbean is a show of force aimed at deterring the activities of the Maduro regime and applying pressure for political changes in Venezuela. Although no specific mission has been outlined, the deployment could escalate tensions in the region and poses a direct challenge to the Venezuelan regime, which is accused of leading a narco-terrorist cartel.
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