Caracas, Venezuela – December 25, 2025 – Venezuelan authorities have released at least 60 people detained during protests against President Nicolas Maduro, marking a Christmas-time gesture amid ongoing concerns over political detentions. Human rights groups note that hundreds of political prisoners remain behind bars despite the latest releases.

The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, a coalition of activists and relatives of detainees, reported that the releases began early Thursday and were part of continued advocacy for justice.

“We celebrate the release of more than 60 Venezuelans, who should never have been arbitrarily detained,” said Andreina Baduel, head of the committee. “Although they are not entirely free, we will continue working for their full freedom and that of all political prisoners.”

Background: Protests and Political Detentions

The released detainees were primarily arrested during demonstrations following Maduro’s third term victory in the July 2024 presidential election, a result rejected by opposition parties amid allegations of fraud. The contested outcome triggered widespread protests, with approximately 2,400 people detained during the unrest. Nearly 2,000 have since been released, according to rights organizations.

Many of the recently freed were held at Tocoron prison, a maximum-security facility in Aragua state, around 134 kilometers (83 miles) from the capital, Caracas. Venezuelan authorities have not publicly detailed the conditions under which the detainees were released.

Ongoing Human Rights Concerns

Despite the Christmas releases, at least 902 political prisoners remain in detention, according to Foro Penal, a Venezuelan NGO monitoring political arrests. Families of detainees continue to call for the release of all individuals imprisoned for political reasons.

Baduel highlighted the broader human impact, stating:

“We must remember that there are more than 1,000 families with political prisoners.”

Her father, Raul Isaias Baduel, a former defense minister and once an ally of late president Hugo Chavez, died in custody in 2021, underscoring the stakes of political detention in Venezuela.

Regional and International Context

The releases come amid heightened international scrutiny of Venezuela’s human rights record. While authorities have freed dozens of detainees over the years, activists argue that full political justice remains elusive. The ongoing detentions continue to strain relations with international organizations and reinforce calls for accountability and reform.