Thousands of students once again took to the streets of Caracas on February 12 to demand the freedom of political prisoners and the full return of democracy in Venezuela, in a new day of civic pressure coinciding with Youth Day and taking place amidst the parliamentary debate on an amnesty law.
Images shared by NTN24 show gatherings at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), as well as demonstrations in Bolívar, UPEL, Táchira, and Carabobo. “Venezuela, united as one voice | Thousands of students take to the streets to demand the release of political prisoners and the return of democracy in the country. Here are some of the gatherings at the Central University of Venezuela, Bolívar, UPEL, Táchira, and Carabobo,” the outlet stated in their post.
In Caracas, dozens of young people marched with Venezuelan flags and banners demanding the release of those detained for political reasons. The protest took place mainly around the UCV, where similar demonstrations had already been recorded at the beginning of February, when thousands marched to demand the release of all political prisoners.
The account Comando ConVzla posted: “UCV | Caracas The fear is gone! The youth took to the streets and UCV is alive and thriving again. When a people loses its fear, nothing can stop them. #LetItBeEveryone.”
The leader Marcos D. Velazco wrote on X: “We do not choose between winning or dying: we have ALREADY decided to WIN. Long live free Venezuela! #LetThemAllBe”.
In another message, Comando ConVzla stated: “The Brave People of Venezuela are in the streets! It’s very exciting to see our youth and Venezuelans at the Central University of Venezuela, on the occasion of Youth Day. We all go out until everyone is out!”.
From Vente Venezuela, they also supported the mobilization. A post on X reads: “The time of tyranny is over. And the youth are going to turn a ravaged land into a Land of Grace. Today we are ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, this is a sign that they continue to underestimate us, but we will not give up on Freedom.” The message was attributed to Javier Cisneros (@CisnerosVzla), organization coordinator of @VenteJoven.
The opposition leader María Corina Machado reacted with a brief message: “Venezuela will be free. Long live our students!”
The mobilizations occur days after the Venezuelan Parliament approved, in a first reading, an urgent amnesty law aimed at pardoning and releasing protesters, government critics, and individuals prosecuted for political crimes since 1999, as part of the process that started the path toward political amnesty after years of repression. The project still needs to go through a second discussion and public consultation before its final enactment.
Authorities have reported gradual releases since January. However, organizations such as Foro Penal have pointed out that hundreds of political prisoners still remain incarcerated, while demands from families and activists continue for the amnesty to include all those detained for political reasons.
The new protests highlight that, despite partial releases and legislative progress, the call for complete freedom for political prisoners remains one of the main demands of the student movement and broad sectors of the Venezuelan opposition.
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