Relatives urge parliament president to "keep his word" and release Venezuelan prisoners

Record ID: 2338691

  • Title: Relatives urge parliament president to "keep his word" and release Venezuelan prisoners
  • Date: 7th February 2026
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (FEBRUARY 7, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RELATIVES WITH BANNER READING (Spanish): “Freedom for all” DISCUSSING WITH A WORKER OUTSIDE HELICOIDE DETENTION CENTER VARIOUS OF RELATIVES MARCHING CHANTING (Spanish): “They are all innocent, none of them is a criminal” (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRISONER’S SISTER, GABRIELA ALVAREZ, SAYING: "We expect him (National Ass
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: AMNESTY LAW HELICOIDE JORGE RODRIGUEZ PRISONERS VENEZUELA
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,South America / Central America,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA001360307022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Relatives of prisoners marched on Saturday (February 7) to El Helicoide detention center in Caracas, urging Venezuela National Assembly's president to fulfil his pledge to release previously jailed protesters.
    The parliament's president, Jorge Rodriguez, said on Friday (February 6) that all prisoners jailed for participating in political protests or critiquing public figures are expected to be granted clemency by a pending amnesty law and could walk free within a week.
    The protesters also demanded transparency in the amnesty law that the chamber is discussing.
    On Thursday (February 5), the amnesty bill passed unanimously in the first of two necessary votes at the National Assembly, which is controlled by the socialist ruling party.
    In addition to the amnesty bill, Venezuela also said El Helicoide would be shut down and converted into a centre for sports and social services.
    Rights group Foro Penal posted on Thursday (February 5) that it had verified 383 releases since January 8.
    Government officials—who deny holding political prisoners and say those jailed have committed crimes—have put the total number of releases much higher, at more than 600, though that figure appeared to include releases from prior years.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register