Venezuelan Opposition Leader's Son-in-Law Released After 380 Days in Detention

Wed Feb 04 2026 08:49:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González, has been freed from jail after a lengthy and contentious detention period amid a government crackdown on dissent.

Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo González, was released from prison after 380 days. His wife, Mariana González, reported that Tudares was part of a broader pattern of detentions targeting government critics. Despite his release, many political prisoners remain incarcerated in Venezuela, as the regime continues to face international scrutiny.

Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González, has been released from prison, his wife has announced, following more than a year of detention for reasons associated with the government’s crackdown on dissent. Mariana González expressed relief at her husband's release after what she termed '380 days of unjust and arbitrary detention.'

Tudares was among over 150 individuals who have been freed since a recent military raid that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro.

Rights organization Foro Penal reports that around 777 political prisoners still remain in detention as Venezuela continues grappling with political turmoil following the 2024 presidential elections. High tensions persist as Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice-president, has assumed the role of interim president with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The release of political prisoners has been a priority for the U.S. administration, and González's imprisonment exemplifies the extent of political repression in the country. His wife revealed that Tudares’ arrest happened amid a wave of crackdowns on opposition leaders and activists, additionally noting that many detainees, like her husband, were kept under ambiguous legal circumstances without the right to choose their counsel or even be informed of specific charges against them.

In her statements following Rafael's release, Mariana González expressed gratitude to all who supported her fight for her husband's freedom, yet underscored the plight of many families still affected by the regime’s oppressive tactics.