The Maduro government says it has released a total of 1,515 people detained during its post-election crackdown.Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab has announced the release of 146 protesters detained during anti-government protests following the July 28 presidential election.
Saab’s announcement on Monday brings the number of prisoners released by the government to 1,515.
It also comes mere days before President Nicolas Maduro is set to be sworn in for a controversial third term on Friday.
Maduro had been trailing his opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez in the lead-up to the July 28 vote. But within hours of the polls closing, his government announced he had won the race — without releasing the usual breakdown of the voting tallies.
That prompted outcry, with the opposition publishing voting sheets it claimed as proof that Gonzalez was the rightful winner.
Maduro has faced criticism over his human rights record, and in the face of widespread post-election protests, his government pursued a harsh crackdown against demonstrators.
The government estimates 2,000 people were detained, and human rights groups indicate 23 protesters were killed. Advertisement
Venezuela’s highest court and election body have since upheld Maduro’s election victory, and Maduro and his allies have accused the opposition of conspiring with foreign governments hostile to Venezuela.
The opposition, however, maintains that the government bodies that confirmed Maduro’s victory are stacked with pro-government loyalists.
Opposition leaders also claim that the precinct-level tallies that they published show Gonzalez beating Maduro two to one.
In September, a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for Gonzalez’s arrest, accusing him of usurpation of powers and conspiracy.
The opposition leader fled Venezuela for Spain shortly thereafter. But the Venezuelan government has continu …