Families of Venezuelan Political Prisoners Rally Outside Helicoide: “Freedom, Now!”

Dozens of relatives, friends and recently released activists gathered outside Caracas’s notorious Helicoide prison on Saturday, demanding the immediate release of political detainees held for months or even years. Their protest comes as pressure intensifies on acting President Delcy Rodríguez to free all prisoners whose detentions have been linked to political activity.

The government announced last month that a significant number of detainees would be freed, but families and human rights groups say progress has been painfully slow. Many accuse authorities of using releases as political theatre rather than genuine reform.

Rodríguez also pledged to shut down Helicoide, a facility long associated with torture and psychological abuse, and convert it into a cultural and sports center. For now, however, the prison remains operational and families continue to wait outside its gates.

Saturday’s demonstration included activists who were themselves released in recent weeks. They prayed together before marching to the prison entrance, where they sang the national anthem and chanted “Libertad! Libertad!”

Aurora Silva, whose husband opposition figure Freddy Superlano is detained outside Caracas, said the government’s handling of the releases has been “a mockery.”

“Releases have been carried out piecemeal, and that only prolongs the suffering of all the families,” she said.

The National Assembly, controlled by the ruling party, has begun debating an amnesty bill that could free hundreds of prisoners. Opposition groups and human rights advocates have responded with guarded optimism, insisting they need more details before celebrating.

Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez claimed in a video Friday that “everyone” would be released between Tuesday and Friday of next week, once the bill is approved.

Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as acting president after the US military captured former president Nicolás Maduro has said the amnesty is intended to “heal the wounds” left by decades of political conflict dating back to the rise of Hugo Chávez.

For the families outside Helicoide, healing begins with one thing: seeing their loved ones walk free.