SI welcomes the release of political prisoner Manuel Rosales

2 January 2017

The release from prison of Manuel Rosales, leader of Un Nuevo Tiempo, UNT, of Venezuela, an SI member party, has been warmly welcomed by the Socialist International. He was unjustly imprisoned following his arrest in October 2015, returning to the country after six years in exile.

While celebrating his release, we vigorously protest against the conditions imposed on his freedom, including the need for him to regularly report to authorities, and forbidding him from leaving the country. The International salutes his courage and strength, and expresses its support and solidarity to his family, friends, and comrades.

The SI reiterates its call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Venezuela, including Leopoldo Lopez, leader of SI member party Voluntad Popular, VP, who has been incarcerated since 18 February 2014, and VP party members Daniel Ceballos and Yon Goicoechea, arrested on 18 March 2014 and 29 August 2016 respectively; and of Antonio Ledezma, Mayor of Caracas and leader of Alianza Bravo Pueblo, who was arrested on 19 February 2015; as well as the reported 100 more opposition activists arrested in 2014. We stand firmly in solidarity with them all.