The release of political prisoners announced by the government in Venezuela is progressing slowly, according to human rights organizations.
Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón (Justice, Gathering and Pardon) stated on X on Monday that so far, 24 releases have been confirmed. Given the high expectations and the many unjustly detained, they said this was “clearly insufficient.”
The human rights organization Foro Penal (Penal Forum) also published a list of those confirmed to have been released so far.
Among them are two Italians – development worker Alberto Trentini and entrepreneur Mario Burlò – but no prominent opposition politicians like Juan Pablo Guanipa or human rights activist Rocío San Miguel.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Monday that Trentini and Burlò are “safe in the Italian embassy in Caracas.”
She said she had spoken with both of them, and a plane from Rome is already on its way to bring them back to Italy.
Meloni thanked Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez for the “constructive cooperation.”
Government announcement, but little implementation
The government in Caracas announced last week that a large number of Venezuelan and foreign prisoners would be released, but did not specify numbers or names.
Parliamentary President Jorge Rodríguez, brother of Delcy Rodríguez, described it as a gesture “in search of peace.”
So far, the implementation remains limited. According to media reports, relatives of political prisoners held vigils nationwide outside detention centres and complained about the lack of information from the authorities.
Human rights organizations have criticized arbitrary arrests and non-transparent detention conditions for years. Particularly, the El Helicoide prison in Caracas is seen as a symbol of state repression, with former inmates reporting mistreatment and torture.