More than 200 political prisoners in Venezuela, including foreigners, have begun a hunger strike in a call for their release. This protest comes after the introduction of a new general amnesty law, which the inmates believe is overly restrictive and excludes many individuals from its provisions. Family members of the incarcerated individuals have expressed concerns that the law's limitations specifically target those accused of 'terrorism', impacting approximately 214 prisoners participating in the hunger strike, according to reports from their relatives.

The hunger strike commenced late Friday at the 'Rodio 1' prison located on the outskirts of Caracas. Among the protesters are individuals like the daughter of an Argentine police officer accused of terrorism and detained in 2024, who highlighted that the law's scope is inadequate as it excludes a significant number of inmates. Additionally, not all prisoners within the institution have joined the hunger strike, signaling divisions regarding the protest's effectiveness.

In response to the situation, the International Committee of the Red Cross has stepped in to monitor the health conditions of the detainees. They conducted medical checks within 'Rodio 1' and several other notorious facilities, including 'El Helicoide'. Filippo Gatti, the health coordinator in Venezuela, noted that this is the first occasion they have been permitted access to this particular prison, marking a significant development in observing the overall health and welfare of the incarcerated individuals as the hunger strike continues.