Venezuela released the well-known human rights activist Carlos Correa from prison Nicolás Maduro news

The freedom-of-speech advocate was among several activists detained ahead of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration last week.

In Venezuela, the authorities released a well-known human rights defender from prison a few days after President Nicolas Maduro. sworn in for a third term amid pressures against dissenting voices and opposition leaders.

Carlos Correa, the director of the Venezuelan non-profit organization Espacio Publico, was released early Thursday.

Correa, a respected university professor and authority on free speech in Venezuela, was among several opposition figures and civil society activists. Maduro’s inauguration last friday.

Human rights group Amnesty International said last week that “hoodlums” arbitrarily detained Correa on January 7 in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

In a statement released the next day, the group demanded the release of Correa and other Venezuelans arrested. human rights defendersWhile accusing Maduro’s government of conducting a campaign of “politically motivated” arrests.

“We demand Nicolás Maduro to release them immediately and unconditionally and guarantee their life and safety, the right not to be tortured and a fair trial while they are in state custody,” Amnesty International said.

United Nations human rights commissioner Volker Turk also demanded Correa’s release.

We demand the freedom of Carlos Correa and all human rights defenders in Venezuela. https://t.co/gLRg95LNyP pic.twitter.com/RMsueuMUzT

— Amnesty International USA (@amnestyusa) January 15, 2025

Maduro was sworn in for a third term on January 10, months after Venezuelan electoral authorities said he had won a disputed July vote.

However, the country’s opposition maintained that its presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez defeated Maduro.

Opposition leaders accused the government of not disclosing the detailed distribution of votes. steal the election In favor of Maduro.

But the long-serving president, who came to power in 2013 after the death of Venezuela’s leftist leader Hugo Chavez, has struck a subdued tone.

“May this new presidential term be an era of peace, prosperity, equality and a new democracy,” Maduro said at the swearing-in ceremony, promising to follow the country’s laws.

“I swear on history, on my life and I will fulfill (my mandate)”.

The inauguration took place a day after another opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado. kept for a short time after he made a rare public appearance to lead protests against Maduro’s continued rule.

#Venezuela: UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk is deeply concerned by further reports of arbitrary arrests and intimidation, including of human rights defender Carlos Correa and opposition members and their relatives.

Now is the time to work to de-escalate and reduce risks… pic.twitter.com/Zc1MPoQcNK

— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) January 9, 2025

According to Espacio Publico, an organization run by Correa, more than 400 newspapers, radio stations and television channels have been closed in Venezuela over the past two decades as a result of the crackdown that began under Chávez and strengthened Maduro.

On Wednesday, Correa’s wife said her husband was brought before an anti-terrorism court last week but did not know the charges against him or where he was being held.

Rights groups and press freedom organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the news of Correa’s release.

“The director of (Espacio Publico) should not have spent a day in prison,” he said in RSF Post on X social media platform.