Relatives of Venezuelan prisoners protest at UN office over stalled promised releases

Record ID: 2342845

  • Title: Relatives of Venezuelan prisoners protest at UN office over stalled promised releases
  • Date: 18th February 2026
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (FEBRUARY 18, 2026) (REUTERS) RELATIVES OF PEOPLE DETAINED FOR POLITICAL REASONS PROTESTING OUTSIDE UN OFFICE AND HOLDING BANNER READING (Spanish) "Release all political prisoners" PROTESTER CHANTING (Spanish) "Freedom" VARIOUS OF RELATIVES HOLDING BANNERS AND PHOTOS OF PRISONERS DURING PROTEST (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRISONER'S MOTHER, GIOCONDA CAMACHO, S
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  • Keywords: Caracas Trump UN USA Venezuela politics prisoners protest
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,South America / Central America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001662218022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Relatives of Venezuelans detained for political reasons protested on Wednesday (February 18) outside the United Nations office in Caracas, holding banners and photos of prisoners and demanding that the government follow through on its promised releases.
    Demonstrators chanted "Freedom" and unfurled a banner reading, "Release all political prisoners." Families said the protest aimed to push international bodies to help verify detention conditions and press for clarity on the government's commitments.
    Rights group Foro Penal said it has verified more than 430 releases of political prisoners since January 8, though it does not include those moved to house arrest in its count.
    The group estimates more than 644 political prisoners remain jailed, including 47 people whose whereabouts are unknown and 57 newly reported prisoners.
    The government denies holding political prisoners, saying those detained committed crimes, and officials have cited nearly 900 releases, a figure that includes releases from previous years.
    The government has not provided an official list of how many prisoners will be released or who they are.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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