131releases announced by the government · Friday's official announcement, according to EFE.
81releases verified by Foro Penal · As of the afternoon of August 17.
27×times more opposition mentions of the TSJ than its average this year · Last 7 days vs. January–July.
Foro Penal had verified 81 releases of political prisoners by Monday afternoon, against the 131 announced by the government. According to EFE, Dinorah Figuera, head of the opposition delegation in the talks, asked for clarity on the official figures versus what NGOs have verified. Marco Rubio counted 1,046 releases since January 3, EFE reported.
Emirlendris Benítez, released on Friday on humanitarian grounds, reported to a court in Caracas, according to VPItv. There, lawyer Omar Mora Tosta said some courts keep denying political prisoners their rights. David Placeres said chavismo is hinting that it will free all political prisoners.
«…courts where it seems January 3 never happened. So this cannot go on like this.»— Omar Mora Tosta (on VPItv), August 17, 2026 · watch
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At the PSUV press conference, Diosdado Cabello said the talks focused on care for earthquake victims and recovering the country's gold. He announced a popular consultation for October. According to David Placeres, Jorge Rodríguez offered the 2015 National Assembly deputies to approve any controls they propose over the gold.
On the new Supreme Court (TSJ), jurist Javier Elechiguerra told Vladimir Villegas that no deputy should sit on the Nominations Committee and that all three branches involved must take part.
«The dialogue table ended its first meeting with the expected results…»— Diosdado Cabello, August 17, 2026 · watch
«If a table has three legs, you can't set it on just one leg or two, because it wobbles.»— Javier Elechiguerra (interviewed by Vladimir Villegas), August 17, 2026 · watch
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Acting president Delcy Rodríguez handed over 48 homes at Ciudad Tiuna to families hit by the earthquakes, according to state TV, and said about 4,000 will be finished by December for those still in temporary camps. She also reopened Mercal store number 200 in Caracas, with a goal of 416 before year's end.
«…between now and December we will have finished homes, some 4,000 homes to hand over to those in the temporary camps…»— Delcy Rodríguez, August 17, 2026 · watch
