Venezuela releases more than 100 imprisoned people after disputed elections | Nicolas Maduro news

The Venezuelan government has taken steps to release some detainees in the post-election crackdown but continues to put pressure on the opposition.

The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has released 103 people imprisoned following disputed elections in July, which the opposition claimed Maduro accused From theft.

The Citizens’ Security Service, headed by Minister Diosdado Cabello, announced the release of the prisoners in a written statement on Thursday.

He explained that Maduro instructed the government to review “all cases related to acts of violence and crimes committed within the framework of the elections.”

The 103 prisoners were released within a 72-hour period, from Tuesday to Thursday. The service explained that their release was in addition to the “precautionary measures” granted to other detainees on November 26.

These “precautionary measures” also allowed for the release of 225 prisoners, but required them to appear in court once every 30 days, according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Despite these gestures, the government has rejected calls from the opposition and regional leaders to publish data that could validate Maduro’s victory.

In the hours following the July 28 election, Venezuela’s electoral body declared Maduro the winner of a third term, despite pre-election opinion polls showing him trailing behind the opposition leader. Edmundo Gonzalez A seemingly insurmountable difference.

But critics immediately seized on the fact that officials in several key areas refused to publish paper voting results, a standard part of Venezuela’s electoral process.

Thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets in cities such as the capital, Caracas, and the opposition published statements that it said showed Gonzalez won easily.

However, both Venezuela’s electoral college and the country’s Supreme Court — which critics say is full of loyalists — confirmed Maduro’s victory. The government responded b Harsh crackdown On demonstrators and opposition members alike.

At least 28 people were killed and nearly 200 others injured in clashes with security forces The demonstrators All over the country. Government figures indicate that about 2,000 people were arrested.

The opposition that He faced arrests A series of disqualifications of candidates even before the vote took place, has continued to face pressure ever since. Earlier this week, an opposition party called Vente Venezuela said three of its regional leaders had been arrested.

Gonzalez himself fled abroad to Spain in September, where he was granted asylum. He said at the time: “My departure from Caracas was surrounded by acts of pressure, coercion and threats.”

Opposition figures also sought shelter At the Argentine Embassy In Caracas, after arrest warrants were issued after the elections.

This week the government Argentina He again accused Maduro’s government of harassing the opposition group detained inside the embassy, ​​which included four men and two women.

Embassies and consulates are considered “inviolable” spaces under international law, and local law enforcement are generally prohibited from entering without prior authorization.

“The Venezuelan government has not only blocked the safe passage that would allow them to leave safely, but has adopted absolutely unacceptable measures of harassment,” Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werheijen said in remarks to the Organization of American States this week.

Asylum seekers are exposed to water outages, electricity outages, restrictions on the entry of food supplies, and the constant presence of security forces in the vicinity of the diplomatic headquarters.