One Hungarian detainee released in Venezuela as prisoner releases begin

Venezuelan authorities have released one Hungarian citizen from detention, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on Tuesday.

According to the minister, three Hungarian nationals have been held in Venezuelan prisons, and one of them was freed on Tuesday. Efforts are continuing to secure the release of the remaining two Hungarian citizens.

“We are continuing our work to ensure the release of our other two compatriots,” Szijjártó wrote in a Facebook post.

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Prisoner releases underway in Venezuela

The release of the Hungarian detainee comes as Venezuela has begun a broader prisoner release process. The Venezuelan government said 116 prisoners have been freed so far, although human rights organizations report significantly lower figures, ranging between 49 and 65 releases.

According to Reuters, opposition groups and rights advocates have criticized the slow pace of the process, noting that family members of detainees have been waiting outside prisons for days, hoping for news of their loved ones.

The Venezuelan government maintains that those being released were previously convicted for acts it describes as threatening constitutional order and national stability, while it continues to deny holding prisoners for political reasons.

International pressure and ongoing negotiations

The release of detainees has long been demanded by international organizations, human rights groups, and opposition figures, who estimate that hundreds of political prisoners remain in custody across Venezuela.

Hungary’s government has not disclosed details about the circumstances of the Hungarian citizens’ detention but confirmed that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining two detainees.

As we wrote earlier, US President Trump signals visit to Hungary as stakes are getting higher before the elections