Venezuela releases more than 100 people imprisoned after contested elections. Nicolas Maduro News

The Venezuelan government has taken steps to release some of those arrested in the post-election crackdown, but continues to pressure the opposition.

The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has released 103 people imprisoned after the country’s July election, which the opposition accused Maduro of stealing.

The Civil Protection Service, headed by Minister Diosdado Cabello, announced the prisoner’s release in a written statement on Thursday.

It explained that Maduro had instructed the government to review “all cases related to violence and crimes that occurred during the elections.”

103 prisoners were released during a 72-hour period from Tuesday to Thursday. The service said his release came in addition to “precautionary measures” given to other detainees on 26 November.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, those “precautionary measures” also allowed 225 prisoners to be released, but they had to appear in court once every 30 days.

Despite such gestures, the government has rejected calls from the opposition and regional leaders to release data that could validate Maduro’s victory.

Hours after the July 28 election, Venezuelan electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner of a third term, despite pre-election polling showing him trailing opposition leader Edmundo González by a wide margin.

But critics quickly seized on the fact that officials in several key regions refused to release data on paper voting, a standard part of the election process in Venezuela.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities such as the capital Caracas as the opposition released figures showing Gonzalez won handily.

However, Venezuela’s electoral authorities and the country’s Supreme Court – which critics say is packed with loyalists – both confirmed Maduro’s victory. And the government cracked down harshly on both protesters and opposition members.

At least 28 people were killed and nearly 200 were injured as security forces clashed with protesters across the country. Government figures show that about 2,000 people were arrested.

The opposition, which faced a series of arrests and disqualification of candidates even before the voting took place, has faced continued pressure since then. Earlier this week, an opposition party called Venta Venezuela said three of its regional leaders had been detained.

In September, Gonzalez himself fled abroad to Spain, where he was granted asylum. “My departure from Caracas was surrounded by acts of pressure, coercion and threats,” he said at the time.

Opposition figures have also sought refuge at the Argentine embassy in Caracas after warrants for their arrest were issued after the election.

This week the Argentine government once again accused the Maduro government of harassing the opposition group held inside the embassy, ​​which includes four men and two women.

Embassies and consulates are considered “impenetrable” locations under international law, and local law enforcement are generally barred from entering without prior permission.

“The Venezuelan government has not only denied them safe passage that would allow their safe departure, but has also subjected them to completely unacceptable persecution,” Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Verhein said in a statement to the Organization of American States (OAS) this week. Actions have been taken.”

“Asylum seekers face water cuts, electricity interruptions, restrictions on food entry, and the constant presence of security forces around diplomatic headquarters.”