By Deutsche Welle
01 Sep 2024, 09:29 AM EDT
A total of 30 teenagers from the More than 100 people arrested after the presidential elections of July 28 in Venezuelaaccording to the NGO Foro Penal, were released from prison this Saturday (08/31/2024), reported the vice president of this non-governmental organization, Gonzalo Himiob.
Through X, Himiob said that “after hearings held in Táchira (west) and Portuguesa (west), 12 adolescents (men) and one adolescent (woman) were released under precautionary measures in Táchira, and five adolescents (men) in Portuguesa,” bringing the figure of detained minors that the Penal Forum now counts at 68.
He also said that eight minors were released, also with precautionary measures. in Lara (west), three more in the state of Bolívar (south, bordering Brazil), as well as one in Yaracuy (west).
On Thursday, the NGO reported the release of 16 teenagers in Caracas, four of them women and 12 men.
More than 2,400 detainees
Himiob told EFE that the 16 were released “under precautionary measures” after being “imprisoned in the context of protests” that broke out after the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner for a third consecutive six-year term in power, a result questioned inside and outside the country and rejected by the majority opposition, which denounces “fraud.” Before July 29, “there were no teenagers detained,” the lawyer said.
According to official figures, More than 2,400 people have been arrested since July 29 -some in demonstrations and others in police operations-, and 25 were killed in acts of violence that the Government attributes to the opposition, while anti-Chavez supporters blame the State security forces, on orders from their superiors.
On Wednesday, August 28, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) presented a report to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States in which it warned of an increase in “repression” in the South American nation, as well as an “arbitrary use of force” and arrests that include minors.
Continue reading:
• 3 possible scenarios in Venezuela and why the TSJ’s decision to validate Maduro’s victory does not resolve the crisis
• The US and a dozen other nations reiterate their rejection of the results of the elections in Venezuela
• Venezuela’s opposition rejects Supreme Court ruling that declares Maduro the winner of the elections