Venezuela Frees 39 Political Prisoners After Post-Maduro Transition Talks

Venezuela released 39 political prisoners following the second round of post-Maduro transition talks between the interim government and the opposition, marking a tangible outcome of negotiations focused on democratic normalization. The releases came after government and opposition delegations concluded their second round of US-backed talks in Caracas on September 26, which also produced an agreement to establish a panel to review Supreme Tribunal of Justice candidate selection. Foro Penal had counted 344 political prisoners as of September 14, and the 39 releases represent a continued, if gradual, drawdown from the peak of 391 in late August.