Caracas, Nov 13 (EFE).- A group of relatives of detainees in a prison located in northern Venezuela held a vigil near the penitentiary center, which ended this Wednesday, to demand the freedom of those considered political prisoners and that -they maintain- can enjoy Christmas with their loved ones.
Through publications in relatives’ walk around the penitentiary center.
The protesters released white balloons, with the names of the detainees and “messages of freedom”, outside the San Francisco de Yare Prison, located in the state of Miranda, and also lit dozens of white candles with which they formed on the floor. the word “justice.”
According to the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, there are more than 300 detainees in that penitentiary center in the context of the post-electoral crisis, after the protests registered in rejection of the official result of the presidential elections of July 28, in which The National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed President Nicolás Maduro as the winner.
The largest opposition coalition in Venezuela – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – joined the petition of the relatives to demand the freedom of all “Venezuelans who are behind bars for dissenting from the regime of Nicolás Maduro, before and after 28 of July.
“May this Christmas be without political prisoners and may freedom be the beginning of the peaceful change that we Venezuelans decisively chose,” said the PUD in X.
According to the NGO Foro Penal, there are 1,963 “political prisoners” in Venezuela, of which 1,836 were detained after the presidential elections, in which the PUD claims that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won by a wide margin.
Of the total, 69 are minors and are between 14 and 17 years old, according to the organization, which claims to register “the largest number of prisoners for political purposes known in Venezuela, at least in the 21st century.”
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What are the demands of the families protesting outside Venezuelan prisons?
## Interview on Venezuelan Prisoner Releases
**Host:** Tonight we’re discussing the recent release of some detainees in Venezuela. Joining us is Gabriela Mendez, a human rights advocate who has been closely following this situation. Gabriela, welcome.
**Gabriela Mendez:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** We’ve seen images and reports of families outside prisons, demanding freedom for their loved ones. Can you tell us what’s happening?
**Gabriela Mendez:** Yes, there have been ongoing protests by families of detainees in Venezuela. This week, specifically, there was a vigil near a prison in northern Venezuela, where families were demanding the release of those they consider political prisoners. They want their loved ones home for Christmas. [[1](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuela-releases-prison-thousands-detained-after-presidential-election-115934627)]
**Host:** These releases come after a period of political turmoil stemming from the 2018 presidential election, correct?
**Gabriela Mendez:** That’s right. There were widespread protests following the election, and many people were detained. While some have been released recently, there are still many others imprisoned.
**Host:** What is the Venezuelan government’s stance on these releases?
**Gabriela Mendez:** The Venezuelan government has said that they are releasing some detainees as a gesture of goodwill. However, human rights groups continue to call for the release of all political prisoners and for an end to the crackdown on dissent.
**Host:** What are the hopes for the future, Gabriela?
**Gabriela Mendez:** Families are holding onto hope that more detainees will be released, and that the Venezuelan government will engage in meaningful dialog with the opposition.
**Host:** Gabriela Mendez, thank you for shedding light on this important issue.