Penal Forum raises the number of detainees to more than 1,500 after post-election protests

The NGO Foro Penal reported at least 1,503 confirmed arrests in Venezuela on Sunday in the context of post-election protests against the official result of the presidential election, in which the electoral body declared the victory of President Nicolás Maduro.

The total number of incarcerations is 87 compared to the previous balance, according to data published in X by Foro Penal.

The organization also reported that the group of inmates included 129 adolescents, 14 indigenous people, 18 people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and 200 women.

The NGO reported that only 90 people have been released – 32 more than the previous report on Saturday – out of the total of 1,503 detainees, without specifying further details about those released.

According to the Venezuelan government, more than 2,400 people were arrested during the protests that followed the July 28 elections, in which, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, 25 deaths were recorded.

Several relatives of detainees and human rights organisations have also denounced that prisoners are accused of, among other crimes, “terrorism” and are not allowed to defend themselves with private lawyers.

Both the government and the public prosecutor’s office accuse the opposition of provoking “terrorist acts” that, they claim, caused material damage in public places, political party headquarters, schools, hospitals and other sites.