Venezuelan Opposition Candidate's Son-in-Law Released from Prison

Fri Jan 23 2026 12:13:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González, has been freed after 380 days of detention, highlighting the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Rafael Tudares, imprisoned for 380 days, was released following a crackdown on opponents of Nicolás Maduro's government. His case symbolizes the broader political repression in Venezuela, where many prisoners still await justice. Edmundo González's family continues to seek the release of other detainees still imprisoned under controversial charges.

Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González, has been released from prison, his wife announced, marking the end of his 380-day stint in detention as part of a security crackdown on critics of Nicolás Maduro's regime.

Mariana González expressed relief upon her husband's return, emphasizing the unjust nature of his imprisonment. Tudares is among the more than 150 detainees who were released following the US military operation that led to Maduro's abduction and extradition to New York for drug trafficking charges.

This release comes amidst reports that 777 political prisoners remain incarcerated, according to human rights organizations.

The atmosphere in Venezuela remains tense, particularly after the elevation of former vice-president Delcy Rodríguez as acting president, who recently won favor from US President Donald Trump for facilitating the transfer of Venezuelan oil to the US.

Despite the release of political prisoners being a significant demand from the Trump administration, activists criticize the slow pace of releases and assert that many of those freed remain with unresolved charges.

The imprisonment of Tudares symbolized the level of oppression following Venezuela's controversial 2024 election, where opposition leaders claimed electoral fraud. González was a central figure in the resistance against Maduro and has since sought asylum abroad due to the political threats he faced.

Mariana González took to social media to thank supporters for their help and to raise awareness about the continued plight of families still seeking the release of loved ones who are unjustly detained.