Venezuela’s Attorney General announced the release of 223 protesters arrested during election protests, raising the total to 956. Human rights groups report discrepancies and the death of prisoners. While the government asserts President Maduro’s election victory, opposition claims show a different outcome, illustrating the ongoing political turmoil in the country.
On December 23, 2024, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab announced that an additional 223 individuals who were arrested during protests following the disputed election in July will be released. This announcement brings the total number of those freed to 956 out of more than 2,000 protesters who had been detained. Despite these releases, human rights organizations have reported that they could only verify some instances of release and have noted the concerning claim that at least three protesters have died while in custody. Amidst these developments, electoral authorities, along with the nation’s supreme court, assert that President Nicolas Maduro has secured a third term in office, a claim that stands in stark contrast to the opposition’s assertion of a significant victory for their candidate based on ballot box data.
In the context of Venezuela’s elections, widespread protests erupted following the July election which many observers deemed unfair. These protests led to a crackdown by authorities, resulting in the detention of thousands of demonstrators. The recent announcements regarding the release of protesters come after significant scrutiny from human rights advocates. The ongoing tensions between the government and opposition reveal deep divisions regarding the legitimacy of the electoral process and the state of human rights in Venezuela.
The release of an additional 223 election protesters by Venezuelan authorities highlights the ongoing efforts to address rising public outcry concerning political repression. Yet, the reported deaths of protesters in custody point towards broader issues of human rights abuses. As the Venezuelan government maintains that President Maduro has won another term, the opposition continues to contest these claims, indicating that the country’s political strife remains unresolved and contentious.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
