Venezuela Frees 88 Protest Detainees Amid Tensions Over Maduro’s Disputed Re-Election

Venezuela has released 88 people jailed over protests against President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed 2024 re-election, following the earlier release of 99 detainees at Christmas. The government says the move is part of a case review aimed at promoting peace and dialogue, though rights groups estimate about 900 political prisoners remain in detention. The releases come amid continued domestic tension, opposition claims of electoral fraud, and rising pressure from the United States, including military actions and calls for Maduro to step down.

Venezuela’s government on Thursday announced the release of 88 people who had been imprisoned for protesting President Nicolás Maduro’s claimed victory in the country’s July 2024 presidential election, in the latest move aimed at easing political tensions following months of unrest.
In a statement published on Instagram, the Ministry of Penitentiary Service confirmed that there had been “88 new releases” of individuals detained “for crimes committed during violent actions by extremist groups.” The ministry said the decision formed part of a broader review of cases ordered by President Maduro, describing the process as comprehensive and ongoing.
The New Year’s Day release follows a similar move on Christmas Day, when the government freed 99 detainees. At the time, authorities described the gesture as a “concrete expression of the State’s commitment to peace, dialogue and justice,” signaling an apparent effort by the Maduro administration to project a more conciliatory tone amid growing domestic and international pressure.
The releases are linked to the fallout from Venezuela’s deeply contested 2024 presidential election. In July, mass protests erupted across the country after electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner of a third six-year term in office. The opposition rejected the results, insisting that its candidate, former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia, had won the vote. González later went into exile, while demonstrations against the government were met with a heavy security response.
According to official figures, around 2,400 people were arrested during and after the protests. Since then, nearly 2,000 detainees have been released. However, Venezuelan human rights groups and non-governmental organizations estimate that roughly 900 political prisoners remain in detention, including individuals who were arrested well before the 2024 election.
Maduro’s recent actions come against the backdrop of escalating tensions with the United States. In recent months, Washington has significantly increased pressure on Caracas, deploying a large military presence in the Caribbean, conducting operations against suspected drug-trafficking vessels near Venezuelan waters, and seizing tankers transporting Venezuelan oil. The US government has framed these actions as part of its fight against narcotics trafficking and illegal activities linked to Venezuela.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had struck a docking area allegedly used by Venezuelan drug boats, marking what is believed to be the first US land strike on Venezuelan territory as part of counter-narcotics operations in the region. The announcement further heightened tensions between the two countries.
In response, Maduro said on Thursday that he was open to dialogue with the United States “wherever they want and whenever they want.” He neither confirmed nor denied that the reported US strike had taken place, instead suggesting that it was an issue that “could be something we talk about in a few days.”
Venezuela has repeatedly accused the United States of attempting to remove Maduro from power in order to gain access to the country’s vast oil reserves, the largest proven reserves in the world. Last week, Trump added to the pressure by saying it would be “smart” for Maduro to step down, a comment likely to further strain relations.
While the recent prisoner releases have been welcomed by some families and rights advocates, critics argue that they do little to address deeper concerns about political repression, electoral credibility and the rule of law in Venezuela. For now, the moves appear to be part of a broader balancing act by the Maduro government as it seeks to manage internal dissent while navigating an increasingly hostile international environment.