Freed Venezuelan political prisoner Jesus Armas on his 'terrifying' experience in prison

Prominent Venezuelan opposition leader Jesus Armas spoke to Weekend after his release from 14 months' detention. He told Krupa Padhy about his harsh treatment in Venezuela's most notorious prison, including solitary confinement and torture, his release and his hopes for political change in his country.

The Venezuelan authorities freed several political prisoners on 8 February, in the wake of the US capture of the country's president Nicolas Maduro last month. The United Nations says say many more political prisoners are still behind bars.

Jesus Armas began by explaining his views on the current government's pending bill on a wider amnesty for political prisoners.

(Photo: Opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, a close ally of María Corina Machado, hugs former councillor Jesús Armas following their release from prison in Caracas, Venezuela, 08 February 2026. Credit: Ronald Pena R/EPA/Shutterstock )