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 improvements to prison conditions are the families of detainees demanding?
## Venezuelan Prisons: A Christmas Wish for Freedom?
**Host:** Joining us today to discuss the difficult situation in Venezuelan prisons is Maria Sanchez, a human rights advocate who has been closely following the recent events. Welcome, Maria.
**Maria Sanchez:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** We’ve been hearing reports of relatives of detainees holding a vigil outside a prison in northern Venezuela, demanding the release of their loved ones. Can you tell us more about this?
**Maria Sanchez:** Yes, the families of prisoners, many of whom they believe are political prisoners, have been holding vigils and protests outside the prison, hoping to draw attention to their plight. They are especially hoping their loved ones can be released in time for Christmas.
**Host:** That’s a powerful image – families hoping for a Christmas miracle for their loved ones. What are the conditions like inside Venezuelan prisons, generally speaking?
**Maria Sanchez:** The situation inside Venezuelan prisons is dire. [[1](https://insightcrime.org/news/gang-violence-overcrowding-grows-venezuelas-prisons-despite-government-efforts/)] Even though the government has attempted to retake control from gangs, violence and humanitarian crises remain rampant. Overcrowding, lack of proper sanitation, and limited access to food and healthcare are some of the major issues.
**Host:** It sounds incredibly challenging. What are the families demanding beyond just release for Christmas?
**Maria Sanchez:** They are demanding improved conditions for all prisoners, better access to legal aid, and transparency from the government regarding the treatment of detainees.
**Host:** This is clearly a complex issue with deep roots. What can be done to address the situation?
**Maria Sanchez:** It requires a multi-pronged approach. International pressure is crucial to ensure the Venezuelan government upholds human rights within its prisons.
Domestically, advocating for judicial reforms, promoting independent oversight of prisons, and investing in rehabilitation programs are essential steps towards a more humane and just correctional system.
**Host:** Maria Sanchez, thank you for shedding light on this important issue. We hope for a resolution that brings some measure of peace and justice for all those affected.