\n<\/p>\n
The release of political prisoners announced by the government in Venezuela is progressing slowly, according to human rights organizations.<\/p>\n
Justicia, Encuentro y Perd\u00f3n (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.”<\/p>\n
The human rights organization Foro Penal (Penal Forum) also published a list of those confirmed to have been released so far.<\/p>\n
Among them are two Italians – development worker Alberto Trentini and entrepreneur Mario Burl\u00f2 – but no prominent opposition politicians like Juan Pablo Guanipa or human rights activist Roc\u00edo San Miguel.<\/p>\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Monday that Trentini and Burl\u00f2 are “safe in the Italian embassy in Caracas.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Meloni thanked Venezuelan President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez for the “constructive cooperation.”<\/p>\n
Government announcement, but little implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Parliamentary President Jorge Rodr\u00edguez, brother of Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, described it as a gesture “in search of peace.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n