Venezuela Releases 103 Prisoners After Election Protests

The Venezuelan government has released 103 individuals imprisoned following the country's disputed July presidential election, which President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in, despite allegations of electoral fraud from the opposition. This release, announced by the citizen security service, occurred over 72 hours and follows a previous measure in November that granted precautionary measures to 225 detainees. Critics argue that the government's refusal to provide voting tallies undermines the legitimacy of Maduro's win, leading to widespread protests that resulted in 28 deaths and numerous arrests. The opposition, led by Edmundo Gonzalez, has maintained that he won the election, urging transparency from the electoral authority, which is perceived as biased. Amidst ongoing government crackdowns, including the recent detention of opposition figures, the political climate in Venezuela remains tense. The government continues to assert control over the narrative while facing increasing international scrutiny for its treatment of dissenters.