Freedom is not announced, it is realized: full, verifiable, and for everyone

Below, we share the full statement issued on August 15, 2026, by the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Venezuela (CLIPPVE). In this document, the organization addresses the recent releases in the country, analyzes the legal status of those affected, and demands the immediate, full, and unconditional release of all individuals detained for political reasons.

FREEDOM IS NOT ANNOUNCED, IT IS REALIZED: FULL, VERIFIABLE, AND FOR EVERYONE

We celebrate each release and each family reunion. However, the freedom of political prisoners cannot be measured solely by official figures: it requires public lists, independent verification, and information regarding the conditions imposed on each individual.

The interim Government announced 131 releases. As of this August 15, approximately 70 releases of political prisoners have been independently verified, and verification remains ongoing. Furthermore, those released remain subject to periodic court appearances, travel bans leaving the country, and open criminal proceedings. Release does not mean freedom, but rather the perpetuation of injustice outside of prison.

Since January, the same pattern has repeated: numbers are announced that, at the time of their release, cannot be independently corroborated. We demand the publication of names, release orders, and the legal status of each person, as well as access for independent organizations to all detention centers.

May it be everyone, not just a few. Releases cannot be administered selectively or used as an instrument of government propaganda or political bargaining to contain public pressure and postpone urgent democratic changes, while persecution and arbitrary sentences continue.

The full freedom of those who should never have been detained is an obligation of the State, not a concession or a bargaining chip. Releasing, on its own, is not reconciling: as long as proceedings, restrictions, and the risk of returning to prison continue, punishment is prolonged outside of prison and the harm remains. Reconciliation demands full freedom, recognition, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition.

Although this demand was not incorporated into the working group's agreement, it must become an explicit priority, with commitments, deadlines, and verification mechanisms. There can be no talk of democratic transition while political prisoners remain and persecution continues.

Their freedom also cannot wait for the designation of a new Supreme Tribunal of Justice. Current authorities have the power to vacate arbitrary decisions and close the proceedings used to persecute them. A new TSJ must guarantee due process, restore victims' rights, and prevent the judicial system from ever being used again to persecute, imprison, or silence dissenters.

The transformation of justice also requires reforming or repealing punitive laws used to criminalize dissent. No judicial renewal will be effective while these laws remain in force. The retroactive application of the most favorable criminal law must lead to the freedom, acquittal, and reparation of those unjustly persecuted or convicted.

The humanitarian emergency, worsened by the June 24 earthquakes, demands urgent measures for freedom, especially for those suffering from severe illnesses.

We demand the immediate, full, unconditional, and verifiable release of all political prisoners in Venezuela. Everyone means everyone.

#QueSeanTodos (#MayItBeEveryone)

#LibertadEsHumanidad (#FreedomIsHumanity)

August 15, 2026

Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Venezuela (CLIPPVE)