Venezuela freed eight army officers on Tuesday who had been jailed on charges of plotting to overthrow former President Nicolas Maduro. This marks the latest release of political prisoners since the autocratic leader was toppled in January.
Background of the Releases
Since US forces captured Maduro in a stunning raid on Caracas in January, hundreds of political prisoners have been set free. The eight officers are linked to the "Paratrooper Case," in which they were accused in 2017 of inciting a coup against Maduro.
Among those jailed was General Raul Baduel, a former close aide to Maduro's predecessor, socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez. Baduel died behind bars in 2021.
Emotional Scenes at Release
Footage posted by rights group Foro Penal showed the army officers wearing yellow t-shirts, crying and hugging family members as they walked free. Jailed General Ramon Lozada left the courthouse in a wheelchair but stood up to hug and kiss onlookers before tying a Venezuela flag around his neck.
"We can confirm the release of paratrooper sergeants and General Lozada, having served their sentences," Gonzalo Himiob, vice president of Foro Penal, wrote on X. They had been in prison for more than nine years, he added.
Ongoing Cases
Raul Baduel's daughters, Andreina and Margareth, are still fighting for the release of their brother, lawyer Josnars Baduel, who was jailed in 2020 on charges of plotting against Maduro.
Nearly 800 political prisoners have been released since January, according to Foro Penal, including 31 members of the armed forces accused of rebellion and treason who were released on parole in February.
The government says 8,000 people have benefited from a landmark amnesty law adopted in February, although most were not in jail but facing legal proceedings. There were still 409 political prisoners in Venezuela as of Monday, Foro Penal said.
