• At least 104 political prisoners released in Venezuela, according to rights group Foro Penal.
• Venezuelan interim president claims over 600 releases, sparking debate over accuracy.
• International organizations await verification of the released prisoners' identities.

According to the Caracas-based human rights organization Foro Penal, at least 104 political prisoners were released on Sunday as part of an ongoing process. Alfredo Romero, the director of Foro Penal, confirmed via social media that the organization was in the process of verifying the identities of those freed across various prisons in the country. Reports indicate that the releases may continue, as civil rights advocates maintain pressure on the Venezuelan government, which has faced heightened scrutiny from both local and international communities for its record on political detentions, according to SCMP, BBC, and Reuters.

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez recently stated that more than 600 prisoners have been released since December, a figure contested by rights activists who argue that only a fraction of these releases has been documented. Romero insisted that many who were released still face ongoing legal challenges, leaving them in a "legal limbo." He called for greater transparency from the government regarding the release process, which he believes serves to distract from an ongoing crackdown on dissent, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

Additionally, Rodriguez has announced plans to consult with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, regarding verification of the lists of released individuals. International observers have criticized the Venezuelan government for allegedly using the detention of political opponents as a tool to suppress dissenting voices following the controversial 2024 presidential election, where President Nicolás Maduro's legitimacy is widely disputed, according to Le Monde and Reuters.