Family members of political prisoners in Venezuela initiated a hunger strike in Caracas this Saturday as a form of protest to urge the government for faster release measures. This action comes in the wake of recent delays in the approval of an amnesty law designed to lead to the liberation of political detainees. Over the past few weeks, the situation for these families has grown increasingly desperate, as they camp outside the prison facilities seeking justice and expedited action from the authorities.

During the early hours of the protest, 17 political prisoners were released from a National Police facility known as Zone 7, amid ongoing family protests that have persisted for over a month. While ten women lay in a line at the entrance of Zone 7, they expressed their determination and emotional toll through their hunger strike, emphasizing the urgent need for their loved ones to be freed. The hunger strike also followed an announcement from interim president Delcy Rodríguez regarding a process of releases, which was heavily influenced by external pressures, particularly from the United States.

This hunger strike signifies more than just a personal sacrifice; it highlights the profound struggles of families grappling with the political climate in Venezuela. As dissent against the current regime continues to mount, these family members’ calls for action could serve as a catalyst for government engagement on political prisoners' rights and could alter the dynamics around this sensitive issue on the national stage.