Families of Detained Venezuelan Activists Demand Release Outside Notorious Prison

Dozens of relatives and supporters of Venezuelan opposition figures, human rights defenders and others detained for their political activities demonstrated Saturday outside the notorious Helicoide prison in Caracas, urging the government to free those still in custody.

The protest occurred amid growing pressure on acting President Delcy Rodríguez to release all individuals detained on charges critics and rights groups call politically motivated. Rodríguez’s government previously pledged to free a large number of political prisoners, but families and human rights organizations have criticized what they describe as the slow pace of releases and lack of transparency.

Rodríguez has also promised to close El Helicoide, a facility widely documented as a site of torture and abuse, and convert it into a cultural, social and sports center—a move seen by supporters as symbolic and by critics as insufficient without full releases.

Saturday’s gathering included recently released activists who joined family members in prayer and song before marching a short distance to the prison’s doors, chanting “Freedom! Freedom!” and raising Venezuela’s national anthem.

Aurora Silva, whose husband, former opposition lawmaker Freddy Superlano, remains detained, called the piecemeal nature of the releases “a mockery” and said it prolongs her family’s suffering.

The country’s National Assembly this week began debating an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of political detainees, a key demand of the opposition and rights advocates who have cautiously welcomed the proposal while calling for more details on its scope.

Meanwhile, Rodríguez’s brother, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez, posted a video saying all prisoners covered by the amnesty would be freed no later than next week once the legislation is passed.