Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González, has been released from prison, his wife Mariana González announced, after spending over a year in detention amidst government crackdowns on critics of the Maduro regime.
Mariana stated that her husband returned home following '380 days of unjust and arbitrary detention,' highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by families of political prisoners in Venezuela.
Tudares is among more than 150 detainees released following a U.S. military operation which targeted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. However, warnings from NGOs indicate that approximately 777 political prisoners remain incarcerated.
The release comes amid escalated tension in the country as Delcy Rodríguez assumes power as acting president, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressured the interim government regarding human rights violations.
Both González and María Corina Machado had mobilized efforts against the results of the allegedly fraudulent 2024 presidential election that declared Maduro the winner, triggering a systematic purge of opposition leaders and their families.
Despite the recent release of political prisoners, rights advocates criticize the slow process and many released individuals still face legal obstacles, including unclear charges and restrictions on public communication.
Mariana González expressed thanks to supporters for their campaign to free her husband but lamented the continued detention of many families affected by the regime's oppressive tactics. As vigils continue outside numerous prisons, hope remains for justice in the contentious Venezuelan political landscape.
