More than a hundred people held as political prisoners in Venezuela have been freed, according to the human rights group Foro Penal (FP). Among them were FP lawyer Kennedy Tejeda and communications student Juan Francisco Alvarado. Tejeda, a lawyer and human rights defender, had disappeared after visiting detainees in Carabobo state on 2 August 2024 to provide legal assistance, and had since been held in Tocorón prison. While welcoming his return to his family, FP also urged the government to publish official release lists. Acting president Delcy Rodríguez promised to release prisoners detained under Nicolás Maduro following his refusal to concede the 2024 presidential election. She said this marked the beginning of a ‘new political moment’ which allowed greater political and ideological diversity. According to FP, there were 777 political prisoners in Venezuelan jails as of 19 January.