Venezuela frees several opposition members after lengthy politically motivated detentions

Venezuela’s government on Sunday released from prison several prominent opposition members, including one of the closest allies of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, after lengthy politically motivated detentions.Their releases come as the government of acting President Delcy Rodriguez faces mounting pressure to free hundreds of people whose detentions months or years ago have been linked to their political beliefs. They also follow a visit to Venezuela of representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.“Today we are being released,” Juan Pablo Guanipa, a Machado ally and former governor, said in a video posted on social media. “Much to discuss about the present and future of Venezuela, always with the truth at the forefront.”Guanipa, who spent more than eight months in custody, was released from a detention facility in the capital, Caracas. An armoured vehicle and officers appeared behind him in the video he released.Venezuelan-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal confirmed the release of at least 30 people on Sunday.In addition to Guanipa, Machado’s political organisation said several of its members were among the released, including Maria Oropeza, who live-streamed her arrest by military intelligence officers as they broke into her home with a crowbar. Machado’s lawyer, Perkins Rocha, was also freed.“Let’s go for the freedom of Venezuela!” Machado posted on social media.