Venezuela releases dozens of political prisoners as election calls grow
Venezuelan authorities have released several political prisoners following diplomatic discussions between the interim government and the United States. The releases follow a period where such efforts had stalled, though the government has not officially linked the releases to the recent diplomatic meetings.
Why it matters
The release of political prisoners is a key indicator of shifting diplomatic relations and internal political stability in Venezuela.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Prisoner releases and free elections were two key pledges made to the US by the new administration
Venezuelan authorities have released a slew of political prisoners, human rights groups say, days after the nation's interim leader met US President Donald Trump in New York.
Among those released in the early hours of Saturday morning was Wilder Vasquez, who was handed a five-year sentence in 2018 over claims he was plotting to kill former President Nicolás Maduro.
Opposition figures have renewed calls for free elections after interim President Delcy Rodriguez held talks with Trump, who captured Maduro earlier this year, at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Her administration previously released hundreds of prisoners as part of a reconciliation effort following Maduro's seizure.
However, these releases slowed to a trickle in April after Rodriguez said the scheme was "coming to an end".
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