In a escalating crisis within the Venezuelan prison system, over 200 political prisoners have initiated a hunger strike at the Rodeo I prison, around 40 km east of Caracas. Reportedly, prisoners can be heard shouting slogans such as 'Freedom!' and 'Release us all!' to their families outside the prison walls. This protest follows the Venezuelan Congress's recent approval of an amnesty law, which is part of a series of reforms that gained momentum from U.S. pressures after the ousting and arrest of former president Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd.

The hunger strike, which started on Friday evening, has been sparked by the prisoners' discontent with the new amnesty law, which they argue does not provide adequate relief for cases involving military personnel, a category that many incarcerated individuals at Rodeo I fall under. This perception of exclusion intensifies the frustrations among inmates who believe the reforms will not lead to significant improvements in their situations. One prisoner, Nahuel Agustin Gallo, whose mother spoke out about the strike, is among those who feel that the new legislation does not consider the complexities of their cases.

The hunger strike highlights not only the dire conditions faced by political prisoners but also underscores the broader implications of the political turmoil in Venezuela. With approximately 214 individuals, including both Venezuelans and foreigners, participating, this protest reflects the growing unrest among prisoners regarding their treatment and the legitimacy of the judicial processes that have led to their incarceration. The rising tensions could potentially attract more international attention towards Venezuela's human rights issues and the implications of domestic political reforms pushed by foreign influences.