In a statement published on Instagram, the Ministry of Penitentiary Services said there had been “88 new releases” of people detained for crimes committed during violent actions by extremist groups.
“These actions are part of a comprehensive review process of cases ordered by President Nicolás Maduro,” it said.
The release on New Year’s Day comes after Maduro’s government decided to free 99 people on Christmas Day as “a concrete expression of the state’s commitment to peace, dialogue and justice.”
Controversy over Maduro’s 2024 re-election in Venezuela
In July 2024, mass protests broke out in Venezuela after Maduro was announced to have won a third six-year term.
The country’s opposition claimed victory for now-exiled former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia.
About 2,400 people were arrested, but about 2,000 have been released.
Venezuelan NGOs estimate that approximately 900 political prisoners remain in custody in the country, including individuals arrested ahead of the elections.
America is increasing pressure on Venezuela
Amid threats of military action from the Trump administration, Maduro has recently been willing to show a more cordial side.
In recent months, the United States has stepped up pressure on Caracas, amassing a massive military presence in the Caribbean, attacking suspected drug boats near the Venezuelan coast and seizing tankers transporting Venezuelan oil.
This week, US President Donald Trump announced that the US military had attacked a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats, the first known land attack on Venezuelan soil to combat drug trafficking from Latin America.
Venezuela has accused the US of trying to oust Maduro in order to take control of the country’s world’s largest oil reserves.
Last week, Trump said it would be “wise” for Maduro to step down.
Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah
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