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 the specific charges typically levied against these political prisoners in Venezuela?
## Calling for Holiday Reunions: Venezuelan Families Protest For Prisoner Release
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Alex Reed, who participated in a vigil outside a prison in northern Venezuela demanding the release of political prisoners ahead of the Christmas holiday season. Can you tell us a bit about the situation?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. It’s heartbreaking. We gathered outside the prison to raise our voices and demand the freedom of our loved ones who are unjustly detained. Many of them are political prisoners. We believe they deserve to spend Christmas with their families, and we’re pleading with the government to hear our pleas.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned political prisoners. Can you elaborate on the circumstances surrounding their detainment?
**Alex Reed:** There are many cases, but they often involve individuals who have spoken out against the government, participated in peaceful protests, or simply held views that are considered dissenting. In many cases, the charges against them are vague, unsubstantiated, or downright fabricated.
**Interviewer:** How has the government responded to your pleas for their release?
**Alex Reed:** [Alex Reed explains the government’s response, referencing any specific actions or lack thereof. This may involve mentioning dialog, promises, or continued detention].
**Interviewer:** This vigil took place on November 13th. What happens next? What will your next step be as a group advocating for these prisoners’ release?
**Alex Reed:** We will not be silent. We will continue to organize, to protest, and to raise awareness about the plight of these prisoners until they are released and reunited with their families. We are appealing to the international community to put pressure on the Venezuelan government and to support our cause.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for sharing your story with us today, Alex Reed. We hope for a positive outcome for you and your loved ones.
**[1](https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/world/venezuela-vigil/image_79265311-2990-59c2-9ad9-cef8474bc762.html)**
