A fragile freedom for Venezuela’s released political prisoners

Al Jazeera · Feb 20, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Venezuela's new government, under President Delcy Rodriguez, has released hundreds of political detainees. But does that mean freedom?A demonstrator reacts outside El Helicoide prison as political prisoners are released on February 8 [Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters]A demonstrator reacts outside El Helicoide prison as political prisoners are released on February 8 [Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters]Published On 20 Feb 2026Ramon Centeno spent most of his four years in a Venezuelan prison lying down. He could barely move around his cramped cell, where thin sheets of fabric hung between the bunk beds for a sliver of privacy.There were no windows to catch a glimpse of the sun, only a dim yellow light from the corridor that crept across the concrete floor. The lightbulbs in the cell itself had long ago burned out.Each morning began with the echoes of military-style drum rolls and shouts of "Long live Chavez!" – a tribute to the late socialist president.Centeno, a journalist, was arrested in 2022 over an interview the government disapproved of, one that linked former officials to alleged drug trafficking.He became one of the thousands of political prisoners Venezuela has held over the years on charges that rights groups describe as arbitrary and politically motivated.He still remembers the first time his mum came to see him in prison in Caracas – and they shared a flash of pain at him not being able to leave with her. It was her birthday."When we turned around, we looked at each other – me behind bars and her in tears," Centeno said.But in the early hours of January 14, the 38-year-old was unexpectedly freed. His mum greeted him in her best clothes and makeup, as if she were attending a celebration, and guided him out in a wheelchair."It was an indescribable moment," he told Al Jazeera of his release. "I felt like I was being reborn – a birth towards freedom."Almost two weeks after his release, his mum, Omaira Navas, died of a stroke. She had lived to see his freedom for just 13 days.Demonstrators call for the release of political prisoners outside the Venezuelan National Assembly on February 10 [Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo]Demonstrators call for the release of political prisoners outside the Venezuelan National Assembly on February 10 [Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo]A country at a crossroadsCenteno is among more than 400 political prisoners released in Venezuela since January, according to the human rights group Foro Penal.The prisoner release follows a military operation led by the United States to abduct and imprison Venezuela's then-President Nicolas Maduro on January 3.Faced with pressure from the US, the interim Venezuelan government has presented the mass release as a “gesture of peace” following the years of political division under Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.But critics argue that after more than two decades of political oppression, the releases are long overdue. They question whether the prisoners' newfound freedom signals a genuine shift away from Maduro's policy of stifling dissent.The releases have led to much-awaited reunions. Yet many describe homecomings as bittersweet. Their friends remain behind bars, their releases are laden with legal restrictions, and the fear of re-arrest persists.For Venezuelan analyst Carmen Beatriz Fernandez, the country is facing an "irreversible" transition under the interim government. Yet, what remains unclear is where that transition is heading."We’re at a crossroads where the intention to open up economically is very clear, but the intention to open up politically isn’t," Fernandez said.She added that the institutional structures that have shielded Venezuela's human rights abuses remain in place.Barbara Bracho embraces Zoraida Gonzalez as they rally for the release of their children in Caracas, Venezuela, on February 18 [Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo]Barbara Bracho embraces Zoraida Gonzalez as they rally for the release of their children in Caracas, Venezuela, on February 18 [Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo]Reclaiming small comfortsSince 2014, Foro Penal has recorded at least 18,842 cases of politically motivated arrests, nearly all under Maduro's government.Some prisoners were kept in custody for a matter of days. Others, years. The longest-serving ones, according to rights advocates, have been held in detention for more than two decades.Jesus Armas, an engineer, political activist and university lecturer, was among the recent releases. When he left El Helicoide prison on February 8, he was eager to reclaim the small joys that had been denied to him."The most amazing thing that happened to me in the last few days was to see the sunrise," Armas said.The soft, pinkish light mesmerised him, contrasting with the green of the surrounding mountains and concrete grey of the city."All of it together was, without doubt, poetry," he recalled.His release had been sudden. Even his father didn’t know about it. When Armas appeared at his parents' home, his father froze and remained speechless for several minutes.But slowly, life is settling into ordinary comforts: drinking tea with his mum, playing his guitar and video calls with his girlfriend, Sairam Rivas.Her absence, however, is a reminder of the continued threat of repression in Venezuela. Rivas is in exile, having been threatened with arrest.Still, he looks forward to their reunion. "It’s going to be wonderful," Armas said. "There’s nothing like hugging someone you love."Political activist Jesus Armas is embraced by opposition supporters on February 8, following his release [Cristian Hernandez/AP Photo]Political activist Jesus Armas is embraced by opposition supporters on February 8, following his release [Cristian Hernandez/AP Photo]Easing international pressureArmas was released shortly after the announcement of a planned amnesty law that aims to free many of those detained since 1999 in connection with political activity.That legislation was passed on Thursday and signed into law that very night. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez hailed the measure as "opening new avenues for politics in Venezuela".But there have been concerns that the amnesty law may not protect every political dissident who faces arrest or imprisonment.Critics also point to government statements that suggest accountability for human rights abuses remains a distant prospect."We ask for forgiveness, and we also have to forgive," Jorge Rodriguez, the leader of Venezuela's National Assembly and the president's brother, said during a debate on the amnesty bill.For some rights advocates, the call for forgiveness obscures a need for justice.President Rodriguez and her brother both worked in the highest echelons of the Maduro administration, a government that the United Nations accused of "grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity".In a statement in January, UN expert Maria Eloisa Quintero underscored that leaders across Maduro's former government share responsibility for the violent repression."Responsibility for these violations is not limited to Nicolas Maduro," Quintero said.Maduro himself has yet to face punishment related to his government's human rights abuses. Instead, he faces trial in the US for drug-trafficking and the possession of weapons.A separate case in Argentina seeks his extradition for crimes against humanity.Martha Tineo, cofounder of the nonprofit Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon (JEP), told Al Jazeera that repression in Venezuela has been "systemic" under Maduro.She pointed to a record of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and torture, including through isolation, sleep deprivation and inadequate food.To this day, at least 644 political prisoners remain in jail, according to Foro Penal.Many of those released continue to face strict conditions, including regular check-ins and gag orders.For human rights activists like Tineo, these restrictions cast doubt on the political motives behind the prisoner releases. Tineo believes they are an exercise in public relations."The releases that have taken place since the official announcement on January 8 are isolated, tactical measures aimed at easing international pressure," she told Al Jazeera.Political activist Jesus Armas celebrates in Caracas, Venezuela, with opposition supporters after his release on February 8 [Cristian Hernandez/AP Photo]Political activist Jesus Armas celebrates in Caracas, Venezuela, with opposition supporters after his release on February 8 [Cristian Hernandez/AP Photo]A 'revolving door' for prisoners?For Armas, the joy of his homecoming has been dulled by the fear of continued persecution.The trouble largely began after he served as an organiser for Venezuela's opposition during the contested 2024 presidential election.Protesters had denounced the vote as rigged after Maduro's government failed to provide the official results of the election. The opposition, meanwhile, published evidence suggesting its candidate had won by a considerable margin.That prompted a sweeping government crackdown on dissenters.In December 2024, Armas was arrested. He said he was taken to a house where he was blindfolded, tied to a chair for days and suffocated with a plastic bag.Later, he shared a dingy cell with dozens of other prisoners – and rats. Once he was transferred to El Helicoide, his friends and family had no contact with him for 10 months.His release, however, has not meant freedom. The day he stepped out of prison, he celebrated by joining a motorcycle parade with Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent politician who had also been freed.Opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, right, and political activist Jesus Armas ride on the backs of motorbikes after their release [Cristian Hernandez/AP Photo]There was a feeling of energy and optimism, Armas recalled, as they visited the families of other political prisoners. But within hours, Guanipa was abducted by masked individuals. No one knew where he had been taken."I couldn’t sleep because I was scared," he said. His first night