Prominent Venezuelan activist released after over four years in jailListen to this articleVenezuelan human rights activist Javier Tarazona (right) reunites with his brother Jose Rafael Tarazona (left) and lawyer Omar de Dios Garcia after his release from prisonCARACAS - Renowned Venezuelan human rights activist Javier Tarazona was freed Sunday after more than four years in a notorious Caracas prison on charges including terrorism and treason. and applause from Catholic faithful, the 43-year-old dissident was taken to the forecourt of a Caracas church after being released from Helicoide prison. Javier Tarazona, one of Venezuela's most prominent jailed dissidents, is among roughly 1,000 political prisoners, some of whom are gradually being freed as Venezuela seeks reforms after many years of authoritarian leftist rule. Then came Omar de Dios Garcia, an activist arrested while accompanying Javier Tarazona on July 2, 2021. "People are applauding out of a great longing for freedom, out of hope for reunions among Venezuelans, out of joy," Javier Tarazona told AFP.

Source: Bangkok Post February 01, 2026 21:42 UTC