Exiled Venezuelans gathered in Miami to demand the release of political prisoners detained by Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
According to the human rights organization Foro Penal, there were 1,196 political prisoners in Venezuela, including civilians and military personnel, as of February 3, 2025. Among them are engineer Carlos Azuaje and human rights activist Rocío San Miguel, whose arrests have sparked international concern.
“We are here in Miami asking for the freedom of 188 political party members who were kidnapped by the Maduro regime for one reason — defending the July 28th mandate,” said Gustavo, one of the protestors, referring to a document that questioned Maduro’s reelection this past summer.. He highlighted that many of those detained were supporters of opposition candidate Edmundo González and were arrested during the aftermath of the vote.
Mercedes Jones, another protestor, brought attention to specific cases of unjust detentions, saying, “We need international intervention.These cases show the growing repression in Venezuela, and we cannot remain silent.”
Demonstrators held signs with the names and faces of detainees, urging their immediate release and calling on international organizations to take action. Despite being far from their homeland, many exiled Venezuelans remain committed to raising awareness about political persecution.
“We are the voice of thousands of families who are suffering,” said a protestor who chose to remain anonymous. “Protesting is a human right, not a crime.”
