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In Venezuela, a process of releases began this Thursday that could determine the fate of hundreds of political prisoners, many of whom were detained for strictly political reasons amid repeated allegations of human rights violations.
According to data from Foro Penal, there are at least 806 political prisoners held in various detention centers in the country.
The announcement was made earlier by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, who stated that “a significant number of Venezuelan and foreign individuals” would be released. Although he did not provide specific figures or names, information began to flow from the press and from the family members themselves.
Among the names that have started to circulate more prominently are Juan Pablo Guanipa, Rocío San Miguel, Perkins Rocha, Biagio Pilieri, and Enrique Márquez, well-known figures from the Venezuelan opposition and human rights activism.
The journalist DelValle Canelón confirmed that Enrique Márquez's wife received a call to go pick him up, while other reporters like Víctor Amaya reported the addition of more detainees to the list of those released.
Journalist Elyangélica González confirmed that Juan Pablo Guanipa, former governor of Zulia state and a direct ally of María Corina Machado, was released at 1:29 PM, Venezuelan time. The news sparked immediate reactions both within the country and abroad.
Guanipa had been arrested on May 23, 2025, after remaining in hiding following the elections on July 28.
Her family had publicly warned about her delicate health condition: she is insulin-resistant and suffers from hypertension.
Hours before his release, his loved ones wrote on social media a message full of hope: “We are waiting for you at home alive, free, and at peace.”
Another highly anticipated name is Rocío San Miguel, a lawyer, human rights advocate, and president of the NGO Control Ciudadano.
She was arrested on February 9, 2024, while attempting to leave the country through Maiquetía airport. Since then, international organizations have reported her arbitrary detention, the lack of information regarding her legal situation, and the denial of medical care after suffering a shoulder fracture.
Perkins Rocha, a lawyer and legal advisor close to María Corina Machado, is also mentioned; he was arrested in August 2024 and is detained at El Helicoide.
His wife has reported on multiple occasions the prolonged communication deprivation and isolation he has been subjected to, raising concerns about the physical and emotional impact of his detention.
The case of Biagio Pilieri reflects another common pattern: he was arrested after participating in an opposition protest and presented before courts without the presence of trusted lawyers. The IACHR granted precautionary measures due to the risk to his health, owing to cardiovascular issues.
The list also includes Enrique Márquez, former opposition presidential candidate, who was detained on January 7, 2025. His arrest was denounced as a political kidnapping by opposition parties and human rights organizations. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights classified his situation as "serious and urgent."
For now, no images or videos have been released that visually confirm each release, but there is a sense of restrained anticipation.
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