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 demands being made by the families of political prisoners in Venezuela?
## Interview: Venezuelan Families Demand Release of Political Prisoners Ahead of Holidays
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is [Guest name], who recently participated in a vigil outside a Venezuelan prison. Welcome to the show.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** We’ve heard about the vigil your family and others organized near the prison. Can you tell us more about why you were there?
**Guest:** We, the families of political prisoners detained in this facility, came together to demand their freedom. [1](https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/world/venezuela-vigil/image_79265311-2990-59c2-9ad9-cef8474bc762.html) Many of these individuals have been unjustly imprisoned for their political beliefs and activism. As the holidays approach, we are particularly heartbroken knowing that they will likely spend Christmas behind bars, separated from their families.
**Interviewer:** How long has this vigil been ongoing?
**Guest:** It concluded on Wednesday, November 13th, but our fight for their release continues.
**Interviewer:** Are there any specific demands your group is making to the Venezuelan authorities?
**Guest:** We are calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners. We believe they are being held unjustly and their detention goes against basic human rights. Additionally, we demand transparency regarding their conditions in prison.
**Interviewer:** What has been the response from the authorities so far?
**Guest:** Unfortunately, our pleas have largely been ignored. We are hoping to bring more attention to this issue and put pressure on the government to act.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your story and your tireless efforts to secure the release of your loved ones. We wish you success in your fight for justice.
**Guest:** Thank you. Our loved ones deserve to be home for the holidays and, most importantly, deserve their freedom.
