Families of Political Prisoners Begin Hunger Strike in Venezuela Amid Amnesty Law Delays

Venezuela - Ekhbary Nieuwsagentschap

Families of Political Prisoners Begin Hunger Strike in Venezuela Amid Amnesty Law Delays

In a significant escalation of their protest, families of political prisoners in Venezuela have launched an open-ended hunger strike outside the 'Zona 7' detention facility in the capital, Caracas. The core objective of this determined action is to accelerate the release of their detained loved ones, particularly in the wake of repeated delays in the approval of a comprehensive amnesty law that had been anticipated to bring relief to many.

Approximately ten women, including mothers and wives of the political detainees, gathered and arranged themselves in a line at the entrance of 'Zona 7', a detention complex operated by the National Police in the capital. This site has been a focal point for relatives' protests for over a month. Wearing face masks, the women laid out a handwritten list of their names, participating in the hunger strike in a poignant display of their resolve and suffering.

The hunger strike commenced shortly after the release of 17 political prisoners in the early hours of Saturday. However, human rights organizations and the families themselves deem this number insufficient given the large number of individuals still held. The NGO Foro Penal estimates that 644 political prisoners remain incarcerated across the country, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge faced by their families and the broader fight for justice and human rights.

Evelin Quiaro, mother of one detained individual, articulated the blend of hope and despair felt by many. Speaking to AFP, she stated, "We demand that the release of everyone be made concrete and real. It is just, it is fair. We have been at this for a very long time." Quiaro, a 46-year-old migration service employee, mentioned that her last meal before commencing the strike was crackers with ham, admitting she was "really not prepared" for such a drastic measure, having "never done this in my life."

Her son, aged 30, has been detained since November 2025, facing charges of terrorism, criminal association, and financing terrorism. Among those released early Saturday was José Elías Torres, secretary-general of the Confederation of Venezuelan Workers (CTV), who had been held since November without a judicial order, according to the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners via the X platform.

The current political climate in Venezuela is complex. Following the ousting of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd, attributed by some reports to an "American military intervention," interim president Delcy Rodríguez proposed an amnesty law on January 30th. This legislation was intended to cover the 27 years of the "Chavismo" era and was widely expected to result in the full release of hundreds of detainees. However, the final discussion and vote for its approval have been postponed twice.

According to Foro Penal, 431 political prisoners have been granted conditional release since January 8th, while 644 remain in custody. Jorge Rodríguez, the President of the National Assembly, visited the vicinity of the 'Zona 7' detention center in Caracas on February 6th, reportedly in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

Nevertheless, divergences among deputies regarding the scope of the amnesty law and the role of the Judiciary in its application have led to the postponement of its final approval until the following week. In the immediate aftermath of the latest delay, several relatives of political prisoners chained themselves together in front of the 'Zona 7' prison entrance, a symbolic act of protest against the perceived injustices.

The families' decision to escalate their protest with a hunger strike signifies their deep frustration and their commitment to securing the freedom of their loved ones. The next legislative session is scheduled for February 19th, marking a critical juncture for the fate of hundreds of political prisoners and their families in Venezuela.

Ekhbary Nieuwsagentschap