Caracas frees 99 political prisoners on ChristmasAFP, CARACASVenezuela released 99 prisoners on Christmas, with the government calling it a goodwill gesture, as it assesses arrests made after President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election. A man holds a candle and a sign asking for the release of his brother, during a vigil demanding freedom for political prisoners in Caracas on Aug. 8 last year. In Venezuela, there are at least 902 political prisoners, human rights organization Foro Penal said. The ministry’s statement confirmed an earlier report about the Christmas Day releases from the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, an advocacy group made up of rights activists and relatives of political prisoners. Caracas denies the allegations, saying Washington is seeking to overthrow Maduro and seize Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world.

Source: Taipei Times December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC