Caracas, Nov 13 (EFE).- A group of relatives of detainees in a prison located in northern Venezuela held a vigil near the penitentiary center, which ended this Wednesday, to demand the freedom of those considered political prisoners and that -they maintain- can enjoy Christmas with their loved ones.
Through publications in relatives’ walk around the penitentiary center.
The protesters released white balloons, with the names of the detainees and “messages of freedom”, outside the San Francisco de Yare Prison, located in the state of Miranda, and also lit dozens of white candles with which they formed on the floor the word “justice.”
According to the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, there are more than 300 detainees in that penitentiary center in the context of the post-electoral crisis, after the protests registered in rejection of the official result of the presidential elections of July 28, in which The National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed President Nicolás Maduro as the winner.
The largest opposition coalition in Venezuela – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – joined the petition of the relatives to demand the freedom of all “Venezuelans who are behind bars for dissenting from the regime of Nicolás Maduro, before and after 28 of July.
“May this Christmas be without political prisoners and may freedom be the beginning of the peaceful change that we Venezuelans decisively chose,” said the PUD in X.
According to the NGO Foro Penal, there are 1,963 “political prisoners” in Venezuela, of which 1,836 were detained after the presidential elections, in which the PUD claims that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won by a wide margin.
Of the total, 69 are minors and are between 14 and 17 years old, according to the organization, which claims to register “the largest number of prisoners for political purposes known in Venezuela, at least in the 21st century.”
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* What are some potential solutions to address the disparities in prison conditions revealed by the Tocorón prison raid?
## A Luxurious Prison? Venezuelan Families Demand Freedom for Loved Ones
**Host:** Today, we’re joined by [Guest Name], an advocate for prisoners’ rights in Venezuela, to discuss the recent vigil held by families of detainees at a northern Venezuelan prison. [Guest Name], thank you for joining us.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** The vigil ended on Wednesday, with families demanding the release of those they consider political prisoners. What are the specific circumstances surrounding these detentions?
**Guest:** There is increasing concern about the number of individuals imprisoned in Venezuela for political reasons. These individuals are often accused of dissent or opposition to the government, and their due process rights are frequently violated.
**Host:** This news comes after shocking revelations about the conditions in Tocorón prison, one of the most notorious facilities in Venezuela.
**Guest:** Yes, the recent raid on Tocorón prison unveiled a stark contrast to the dire conditions experienced by many prisoners in Venezuela. Reports describe extravagant amenities within the prison, including nightclubs, swimming pools, and even a zoo [[1](https://theworld.org/stories/2023/10/04/what-behind-seizure-venezuelas-most-notorious-prison)]. This highlights a severe inequality in the justice system and raises questions about the allocation of resources and the treatment of different prisoners.
**Host:** How does this disparity affect the families protesting for the release of their loved ones?
**Guest:** It’s incredibly demoralizing for the families. To see such opulence within a prison while their loved ones are unjustly detained and suffering raises questions of fairness and the rule of law. It fuels their anger and desperation for change.
**Host:** What are the families’ hopes for the future?
**Guest:** They are calling for the immediate release of those they believe are political prisoners and for a fair and transparent judicial process for all detainees. They want their loved ones to experience the freedom and justice that they deserve, especially during this holiday season.
**Host:** [Guest Name], thank you for shedding light on this important issue.
**Guest:** Thank you for having
