Vigil seeks release of detainees

Dozens gathered in Plaza de la República in Maracaibo for a candlelight vigil calling for the release of political prisoners after the government announced a new amnesty law. Families held photos, lit candles and offered prayers while sharing emotional testimonies about relatives held for months or years without clear legal process. Wilson Labrador appealed for the law to resolve the “delicate political situation,” citing his brother Eduardo, a deputy to the Zulia Legislative Council detained for 16 months at Rodeo 1 and reportedly denied proper legal representation and information about his whereabouts.

Organizers said the vigil aimed both to honor detainees and pressure authorities to translate the amnesty announcement into concrete releases, warning that past promises of reconciliation produced only limited or temporary relief. Relatives described transfers between facilities, restricted visits and chronic delays in court proceedings; several voiced skepticism that the new measure would be more than symbolic.

Human rights advocates at the event warned Venezuelan prisons remain overcrowded and under-resourced, with insufficient medical care, poor nutrition and restricted family contact. They urged transparent eligibility criteria, independent oversight and safeguards against re-arrest to ensure the amnesty fosters trust rather than deepening cynicism. Government supporters defended the initiative as a step toward reconciliation, saying reviews are underway and releases will occur gradually, while accusing opposition groups of politicizing the issue.

The peaceful vigil, intentionally non-confrontational and held under local authority supervision, underscored the human cost of politically linked detentions amid broader social and economic strife in Maracaibo. Participants vowed to continue gatherings across the region until detainees are freed, noting that for many families the amnesty has reopened hopes and wounds alike. International rights groups and foreign governments are watching implementation closely, saying genuine, transparent action on detainee cases is essential to rebuilding confidence and easing Venezuela’s prolonged political tensions.