In Caracas, a group of ten family members of political prisoners began a hunger strike to advocate for the release of their detained relatives. This action was prompted by the recent delay in the approval of a significant amnesty law intended to facilitate the release of political prisoners. The hunger strikers, predominantly women, are camped at the entrance of Zona 7, a detention center of the National Police, where families have been gathering for over a month to demand justice and transparency regarding the fate of their loved ones.

The timing of the hunger strike coincides with the release of 17 political prisoners from Zona 7, which raises questions about the government’s commitment to political reform and human rights under pressure from international actors, particularly the United States. The families have taken this drastic step as a form of protest, expressing their desperation for quicker actions regarding the release of their loved ones amidst what they perceive as a stagnant legal process. This incident underscores the ongoing tension between the Venezuelan government and opposing factions advocating for amnesty and reform.

As these relatives continue their hunger strike, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, which sheds light on the broader implications of political imprisonment in Venezuela. The ongoing struggle of these families highlights the social and political implications of Venezuela's prison system and the political climate in a country facing widespread socio-economic challenges. The movement pushes for a reevaluation of policies concerning political prisoners, hoping to galvanize additional support for their cause both locally and abroad.