Zamora (Venezuela).– About 80 families have been sleeping outside the El Rodeo I prison since January 8, when authorities announced releases in Venezuela, and this Friday they are spending their sixteenth night of vigil, during which time they have demanded the release of their political prisoner relatives.
«Today, more than 15 days in constant vigil with different families. We have managed a number between 80 and 90 families on the outskirts of El Rodeo I (in Miranda state, near Caracas)», Aurora Silva, wife of political activist Freddy Superlano, told EFE.
Silva claimed that the relatives still lack “real information” or an “accurate figure” on the number of political prisoners released in Venezuela, something that several NGOs have also criticized while demanding an official list with details of the releases.
«We are demanding transparency, the real figures, and that they show us the lists of releases. Also, asking for full and unconditional releases», Silva stated, assuring that there are released individuals with precautionary measures.
The family members lit candles and wrote the names of the political prisoners on the ground on this night of vigil and prayer for their loved ones.
The Releases of Political Prisoners in Venezuela
In its X account, the NGO Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (Clipp) reiterated that the relatives “will not abandon the prison gates nor cease their prayers” until “the last” of the political prisoners returns home.
The Clipp, made up of relatives of political prisoners and human rights activists, reported on other vigil activities carried out this Friday outside El Helicoide, headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) in Caracas, as well as in front of different prison centers in the country.
Earlier, the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, assured that 626 people have been released so far in the country, and announced that she will call the office of the United Nations High Commissioner to verify the list of those released, amid the accusations of relatives and NGOs.
The NGO Foro Penal and Venezuela’s largest opposition coalition – the Democratic Unity Platform – estimate between 156 and 170 released prisoners, respectively, since January 8, when the President of Parliament, Jorge Rodríguez, announced the release of a “significant number” of people.
In Venezuela, there are 780 political prisoners, according to Foro Penal, although the Government and the Prosecutor’s Office deny that there are detainees for these reasons in the country, but rather they claim they are people who committed various crimes.
