Edilson Torres was set to be buried in his hometown after dying in a Venezuelan prison.

Venezuela says it has released 116 people jailed under Nicolas Maduro in recent hours, but human rights groups have counted less.

Venezuela says it has released 116 people jailed under Nicolas Maduro in recent hours, but human rights groups have counted less.

Venezuela's government has released 116 political prisoners following a recent announcement by President Nicolás Maduro's administration.

The Venezuelan government of interim president Delcy Rodriguez announced that it started releasing a 'large' number of political prisoners, describing it as a gesture of goodwill. US President Donald Trump claimed credit for the move, saying it had come at Washington's request. According to rights groups, only a handful of detainees have been released since the announcement, families have been waiting outside prisons across the country for updates on their loved ones.

Venezuelans await the release of political prisoners as interim President Rodriguez initiates a significant gesture after Maduro's capture.

Venezuela's government on Thursday pledged to free a significant number of prisoners in what it described as a gesture to “seek peace.” Officials have not identified or given a number of prisoners being considered for release, leaving rights groups scouring for hints of information and families to watch the hours tick by with no word. US President Donald Trump said the release of people detained for political reasons came at Washington’s request.

Rights groups estimate there are 800 to 1,200 political prisoners held in Venezuela. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Rights groups estimate there are 800 to 1,200 political prisoners held in Venezuela. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The release of political prisoners is one of the oppositions’ main demands following the apprehension of Mr Maduro. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The release of political prisoners is one of the opposition's main demands following the apprehension of Maduro. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Trump says Venezuela releasing political prisoners 'in a BIG WAY' after U.S. military operation captured Maduro with least 18 freed so far from detention.

Trump says Venezuela releasing political prisoners "in a BIG WAY" after U.S. military operation captured Maduro, with at least 18 freed so far from detention.

Venezuelans living in Madrid gathered Saturday at a public square in the Spanish capital to demand the release of all political prisoners held in Venezuela. It follows a decision by the Venezuelan government on Thursday to release a number of imprisoned high-profile opposition figures, activists and journalists. (AP video shot by Alicia León Perea)

Venezuela's government has started freeing detainees considered by rights groups as political prisoners, in what officials have referred to as a goodwill gesture. US president Donald Trump said the move came at the request of the United States.

Venezuela's government has started freeing detainees considered by rights groups as political prisoners, in what officials have referred to as a goodwill gesture. US president Donald Trump said the move came at the request of the United States.

Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Venezuela's government has begun to release Venezuelan and foreign political prisoners, less than a week after its former head, Nicolas Maduro, was seized in a U.S. military operation.

The US, which recently captured its President Nicolás Maduro, has long demanded the detainees be freed.

The release, which was expected to happen later on Thursday, offers the first gesture of conciliation under an interim government, even as arrests and crackdowns continue.

The interim government released some prisoners under pressure from the Trump administration, even as it continued arrests and crackdowns elsewhere.

At least 80 people were released, including one with U.S. ties, though more than 800 remain detained in Venezuela for opposing President Nicolás Maduro’s rule, rights groups say.

At least 80 people were released, including one with U.S. ties, though more than 800 remain detained in Venezuela for opposing President Nicolás Maduro’s rule, rights groups say.