More than 200 individuals detained for political reasons in Venezuela have initiated a hunger strike to press for their freedom, as per information provided by family members to AFP on Sunday. This action follows the recent implementation of a new amnesty law subsequent to the removal of former President Nicolas Maduro.
The hunger strike commenced on Friday evening at Rodeo I prison on the outskirts of Caracas, with detainees expressing discontent over being excluded from the law due to terrorism-related charges.
Yalitza Garcia, who is related to a prisoner named Nahuel Agustin Gallo, an Argentine police officer accused of terrorism, stated that around 214 individuals, including Venezuelan and foreign nationals, are participating in the hunger strike.
Shakira Ibarreto, the daughter of a policeman detained in 2024, remarked that the decision to go on hunger strike was made on Friday in response to the limitations of the amnesty law.
According to relatives, not all inmates at the prison have joined the hunger strike.
The amnesty law was formulated by interim leader Delcy Rodriguez in response to pressure from the United States.
