Hundreds of families in Venezuela are now stepping forward to declare their imprisoned relatives as political prisoners, a significant shift driven by a government promise of releases. This surge in reporting follows the recent capture of former President Nicolás Maduro and comes amidst tragic cases where freedom arrived too late.
A Death in Custody Sparks Grief and Action
Edilson Torres, a 51-year-old former police officer, was due to be buried in his rural hometown on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. His death from a heart attack in a Venezuelan prison occurred just as his family anticipated his release. Torres had been held incommunicado since his detention in November on accusations his family insists were politically motivated.
As his flag-draped coffin arrived for the wake, his sister Emelyn Torres sobbed, "My little brother, my little brother." In a cruel twist, she learned during the transport of his body that other men linked to the same WhatsApp group that led to his arrest had just been freed. Torres did not live long enough to walk free.
Flood of Reports to Human Rights Groups
Alfredo Romero, director of the non-governmental organisation Foro Penal, reported a "flood of messages" from families since last week. Many had previously hesitated to approach advocacy groups out of fear.
"They didn’t report it out of fear, and now they’re doing it because, in a way, they feel that there is this possibility that their families will be freed," Romero explained. "They see it as hope, but more importantly, as an opportunity." Of the roughly 300 families who made contact, Foro Penal has confirmed about 100 cases as politically motivated, with many involving former military personnel.
Releases Begin Amidst Scrutiny and Relief
The head of Venezuela's national assembly stated last week that a "significant number" of Venezuelan and foreign prisoners would be released as a gesture to "seek peace." By Tuesday morning, Foro Penal had confirmed 55 releases. While the government cited a higher figure of 116, it did not provide names, making it impossible to verify if those freed were held for political reasons.
Notable releases include:
- Human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, who has since relocated to Spain.
- Biagio Pilieri, an opposition leader involved in María Corina Machado’s 2024 presidential campaign.
- Enrique Márquez, a former electoral authority and presidential candidate.
Italian businessman Marco Burlò, released on Monday, described his detention upon arrival in Rome. "I can’t say that I was physically abused, but without being able to talk to our children... completely isolated, here they thought that I might have died," he said, characterising his ordeal as a "pure and real kidnapping."
The unfolding situation highlights a critical moment for human rights in Venezuela, as long-silent families find a voice and the world watches to see if promises of liberty will be fully and transparently honoured.
