CARACAS, Venezuela — In a dramatic display of protest, relatives of Venezuelan political detainees initiated a hunger strike outside a Caracas prison facility this Saturday. This demonstration follows the conditional release of 17 prisoners and occurs against the backdrop of stalled legislative negotiations regarding a promised amnesty law.
Approximately ten women, wearing protective face masks, positioned themselves in a horizontal formation at the entrance to Zone 7, a national police compound. Several participants were observed sleeping during the daytime hours, with one anonymous protester explaining to AFP that sleep provided temporary relief from hunger sensations.
Evelin Quiaro, a 46-year-old immigration official whose son faces terrorism-related charges dating back to November, expressed cautious optimism: ‘The pressure has yielded results; we intend to remain here until every political prisoner gains freedom.’ Quiaro confirmed she had consumed her final meal around 1:00 am prior to commencing the strike.
The early morning hours preceding the protest saw National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announcing via social media the liberation of 17 detainees, though no specific identities were disclosed. Rodriguez urged citizens to ‘persist on this pathway toward peaceful democratic coexistence.’
This developing situation originates from the landmark amnesty initiative spearheaded by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez following the January 3rd capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro by U.S. special forces. The proposed legislation aims to dismantle nearly three decades of state-sponsored repression, potentially exonerating dissidents charged with ‘treason,’ ‘terrorism,’ and hate-speech allegations during the Maduro and Chavez administrations.
However, the legislative process hit an impasse last Thursday when lawmakers, after approving the bill’s initial reading, suspended final adoption due to contentious debates regarding implementation procedures. A particular point of contention emerged over requirements for amnesty seekers to personally appear in court to petition for clemency.
Both government-aligned and opposition legislators have agreed to resume deliberations on February 19, leaving hundreds of political prisoners’ fates in limbo and their families maintaining vigil through extreme protest measures.