Amnesty in Venezuela is progressing slowly, families of political prisoners are putting pressure on the government

Venezuela continues to gradually release people whom human rights organizations describe as political prisoners, but the pace and scope of this process remain a subject of controversy.

According to the organization Foro Penal, 344 people have been released since the beginning of January, with 33 released on Sunday alone. The government speaks of more than 600 releases, but does not publish names or exact figures and denies that there are political prisoners in the country.

The releases follow the announcement of a planned amnesty and a promise to convert the feared Helicoide prison center into a civilian facility. Helicoide is linked to UN reports of torture, which Caracas denies.

The families of those detained point out that the process is slow and non-transparent and that hundreds of people remain in prison. Opposition leaders and human rights advocates are also demanding that the charges themselves be dropped, otherwise, they say, it is not a real solution.

(reuters, pir)