Venezuela released three former Caracas Metropolitan Police officers after 23 years in prison, ending one of the longest political detention cases in Latin America while reopening a painful national question: how many more Venezuelans remain trapped in a justice system built for punishment, silence and fear.
Héctor Rovaín, Erasmo Bolívar and Luis Molina walked out of the Fénix prison complex in Lara state late Tuesday, days after the government announced a new round of releases. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said Venezuela would free 300 detainees this week, including three police officers jailed since 2003, elderly prisoners and inmates with medical conditions. He did not describe them as political prisoners. Venezuela's government has long denied holding people for political reasons, saying detainees were convicted of crimes.
