Hundreds remain detained despite releases and amnesty efforts, raising serious human rights concerns.
📍 Venezuela, New York
The situation regarding political prisoners in Venezuela remains deeply concerning, according to data released by Movimiento Vinotinto and corroborated by various organizations. As of late April 2026, despite the announcements of releases and the passage of an amnesty law, approximately 450 individuals remain detained, primarily consisting of dissident military personnel and former public officials. Initially, following the disputed 2024 presidential election, the Maduro regime undertook “Operation Tun Tun,” resulting in the arrest of around 2,000 people. While the number dwindled to approximately 1,000 by early 2026, estimates from organizations like Movimiento Vinotinto ranged between 950 and 1,200 due to differing classification criteria. Recent developments, including the release of prominent figures like human rights defender Rocío San Miguel and journalist Eduardo Torres, brought the number down to around 450.
What sets these detentions apart from previous crackdowns is the unprecedented legal tactics employed by the government. The use of the “eradication” provision within the Organic Code of Criminal Procedure, which forced detainees from regions like Bolívar to appear in Caracas, represents a fundamental violation of Venezuelan legal procedures. This practice, likened to the concentrated targeting of guerrilla movements during the 1960s, highlights a deliberate attempt to circumvent local justice systems and control the legal process. Furthermore, the state has engaged in the criminalization of everyday activities, targeting individuals for their participation in civil society or their political activism.
The individuals currently held face severe allegations, including accusations of posing a direct threat to the regime's stability. Organizations like Movimiento Vinotinto have documented alarming patterns of abuse, including enforced disappearances, torture, and persecution of family members, with some individuals remaining missing for extended periods. These actions represent some of the most serious human rights violations recorded in recent Venezuelan history, prompting continued international scrutiny and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners.
Original Source: Link
Venezuela PoliticalPrisoners HumanRights Maduro Dictatorship CivilRights Democracy Justice