16 teenagers released after Venezuelan presidential election

A total of 16 teenagers out of the 114 detained after the presidential elections of July 28 in Venezuela, according to the NGO Foro Penal, were released on Thursdayreported this non-governmental organization dedicated to the defense of those considered political prisoners in the country.

From the Palace of Justice in Caracas, “four female adolescents and 12 male adolescents who had been deprived of liberty” in the Venezuelan capital “since July 29 due to the post-election situation were released,” said the NGO, which now counts 98 minors still detained.

The vice president of Foro Penal, Gonzalo Himiob, told EFE that the 16 were released “under precautionary measures” after having been “imprisoned in the context of the protests” unleashed after the National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed President Nicolás Maduro the winner for a third consecutive six-year term in power, a result questioned inside and outside the country and rejected by the majority opposition, which denounces “fraud.”

Before July 29, “there were no teenagers in custody,” the lawyer said.

According to official figuresmore than 2,400 people have been arrested since July 29 – some in demonstrations and others in police operations – and 25 were killed in acts of violence that the government attributes to the opposition, while the opposition sector blames the State security forces, on orders from their superiors.

On Wednesday, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) presented a report to the Permanent Council of the OAS warning of an increase in repression in Venezuela, as well as arbitrary use of force and arrests that include minors.