Venezuelans march in Caracas for Lula"s help to free prisoners

On Wednesday, hundreds of Venezuelans gathered outside the Brazilian embassy in Caracas, urging President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to assist in securing the release of approximately 2,500 individuals labeled as 'political prisoners.' This protest followed a violent crackdown after the disputed July 28 presidential elections, which resulted in the deaths of 27 people. The opposition claims that the elections were rigged in favor of incumbent Nicolas Maduro, with many of the arrested individuals detained during spontaneous demonstrations in the aftermath. Protesters carried signs demanding freedom for all political prisoners and delivered a letter to Lula detailing the human rights violations faced by their detained relatives. Diego Casanova, a protester, emphasized that these individuals are prisoners of conscience, asserting that they have committed no crimes. The situation has drawn international attention, with Brazil and other nations seeking transparency regarding the election results. The protest highlighted the deteriorating human rights conditions in Venezuela, where political dissent is met with severe repression. Organizer Andreina Baduel described the plight of political prisoners as a 'slow-motion assassination,' reflecting the dire circumstances faced by those opposing the regime. Her father, a former ally of Hugo Chavez, died in prison after being jailed for opposing Maduro. Lula, traditionally aligned with Maduro, has recently expressed frustration with the Venezuelan regime, labeling it as 'very unpleasant' and authoritarian. The diplomatic tensions between Brazil and Venezuela have escalated, particularly after Venezuela revoked Brazil's permission to represent Argentina's diplomatic interests, further complicating the regional political landscape.