Over 200 Venezuelan Political Prisoners Launch Hunger Strike

More than 200 political detainees held at Venezuela’s Rodeo I prison began a hunger strike to demand release under a new amnesty law that excludes many of those jailed on military or security-related charges, according to relatives and humanitarian officials. Prisoners shouted “Freedom!” and called for their release as the protest spread through parts of the facility east of Caracas.

Family members said about 214 inmates, including Venezuelans and foreign nationals, joined the strike after learning they would not qualify for amnesty because their cases fall under categories excluded by the legislation, including alleged military-related offenses.

Some detainees said the exclusions leave the majority of prisoners at Rodeo I without a path to release despite the law’s passage.

The International Committee of the Red Cross visited the prison during the protest, marking a rare access for humanitarian monitors. Relatives said not all inmates are participating, and a small number were released with paperwork as the strike continued.

The amnesty law was approved by Congress as part of broader political reforms and is intended to cover thousands of political cases nationwide, though opposition figures argue carve-outs leave many detainees behind. Lawmakers said more than 1,500 people have applied for relief so far, with additional releases reported in recent days.