Families of Venezuelan prisoners demand their release after weeks of waiting outside prisons

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Families of Venezuelan prisoners on Tuesday demanded the release of nearly 800 imprisoned critics, journalists and members of the opposition still detained in the South American nation.

The call came after family members waited two weeks outside of prisons following the government's announcement that it would release a “significant number” of prisoners detained under Nicolás Maduro. The former president was deposed in early January in an overnight U.S. military raid.

In the wake of criticism that the government had only released a handful of people, acting President Delcy Rodríguez last week vowed to continue releasing prisoners.

Rodríguez called it “a new political moment” for Venezuela.

Despite that, Venezuelans like Francis Quiñones say they feel the same turmoil that families of prisoners have felt for years. While much of Venezuela has started to move on from the chaos of just a few weeks earlier, people like her are stuck in limbo.

Groups of families have spent two weeks camped out outside a Caracas prison known as Helicoide, which activist groups said holds a number of government opponents. Quiñones, whose son has been detained for more than five years, said she hasn't been able to speak to him in more than six months. But she holds onto hope that they may be reunited.

“Here we are waiting. ... Every day, we're out here outside the Helicoide,” she said. “(The government) is killing us psychologically.”

As of Tuesday, Venezuela’s leading prisoner rights organization, Foro Penal, had verified the release of 145 people it considers “political prisoners.” Around 775 more remain in detention, according to the organization’s leader, Alfredo Romero.

Romero said that those who have been released may not be locked up anymore, but they're far from free. Most released face government restrictions, including gag orders on speaking to the media and mandatory check-ins with authorities, he said. Others are blocked from leaving the country.

“These people are not free,” Romero said. “They are subjected to constant, latent persecution.”

In Caracas, a row of tents lines the curb where relatives display posters of the missing. Over the weekend, families clustered together, embracing as they lit candles in a vigil.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Maria Soledad Osorio, whose son Simon Chacon is detained at a different facility, camps outside the Zona 7 detention center of the Bolivarian National Police in solidarity with the relatives of other detainees in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Relatives wait outside Zone 7 of the Bolivarian National Police station for news of loved ones they say were detained and have not heard from in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Relatives and human rights activists rally outside the Attorney General's Office in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, calling for the release of people they consider to be detained for political reasons. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Relatives and human rights activists rally outside the Attorney General's Office in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, calling for the release of people they consider to be detained for political reasons. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Relatives of detainees and human rights activists rally outside the Attorney General's Office in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, calling for the release of people they consider to be detained for political reasons. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

MILAN (AP) — Gabriel Jesus is already hitting top form just a month after returning from a lengthy injury layoff.

The Arsenal forward was given only his third start this season and he scored twice in a dynamic first half to set his side on the way to a 3-1 victory at Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Jesus, who was named player of the match at San Siro, was out for almost a year after tearing his ACL last January.

“It’s a dream night. I always dreamed of being a footballer," Jesus told Amazon Prime. "I watched when I was a kid, I watched a lot of Serie A, so to be here in this stadium and score here is tears in my eyes because I always dreamed of being here.

“There is always a reason that things happen even whether it’s good things or difficult things. I learned that during my 11 months out of the field."

Jesus returned in December but has made mainly substitute appearances since then, with his only starts prior to Tuesday coming in domestic cup competitions.

However, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta named the Brazilian in the starting lineup at San Siro in place of Viktor Gyökeres, who has struggled to adapt since his big-money move from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.

“Everyone wants to start," Jesus added. "I am a very respectful guy. I am not a kid anymore, I am 28, so I understand football.

“I am very happy Vik came on and scored a goal. I am so happy I scored and Vik scored.”

Jesus fired Arsenal in front in the 10th minute with an instinctive finish to stretch out his leg and get on the end of a scuffed Jurrien Timber shot.

It was his first Champions League goal in more than two years, since netting in a group match against Lens in November 2023.

Inter leveled eight minutes later through Petar Sucic, but Jesus was again in the right place at the right time to again put Arsenal in front in the 31st minute.

Bukayo Saka swung in a corner from the right to the far post, where Leandro Trossard nodded it back across for Jesus to head home.

Gyökeres came on for Jesus in the 75th and scored Arsenal’s third, nine minutes later.

“This is great, we’ve been missing Gabby a lot,” Arteta said. "It’s going to raise his confident level, that of the team’s because we have now different profiles in that position.

“And the fact that those players are playing at that level — Victor comes in, he had a great impact as well in the game — it only makes us better and that’s what we’re seeking.”

The victory assured table-topping Arsenal of a spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League and also saw it win seven European games in a row for the first time in its history.

Arsenal has never won the Champions League, although it reached the final in 2006 — losing to Barcelona.

Arteta’s side also tops the Premier League, with a seven-point advantage, and hosts Manchester United on Sunday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Inter Milan and Arsenal in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, centre, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Inter Milan and Arsenal in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Inter Milan and Arsenal in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus scores his side's opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Inter Milan and Arsenal in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Inter Milan and Arsenal in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)