Venezuela has freed 99 people held for protesting after the 2024 election, its biggest political prisoner release this year. The government claims these individuals were involved in "acts of violence and incitement to hatred" following the vote on July 28, 2024. It said the release shows its "commitment to peace" and respect for human rights. However, civil society groups stress that this is not enough. They say at least 900 political prisoners remain in custody. Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro denies holding political prisoners. The move comes as US pressures Venezuela heavily. The US has deployed 15,000 troops and a large naval fleet near Venezuela, blocked sanctioned oil tankers, seized vessels, and conducted airstrikes killing 105 people. Inside Venezuela, opposition leaders face arrests and exile. Opposition figure María Corina Machado is currently in exile after receiving a Nobel peace prize in Norway. Recently, a 17-year-old protester was sentenced to 10 years for "terrorism." The released 99 do not include major opposition figures or the teenager convicted. The NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón cautioned the release is selective and part of political persecution. The Committee for the Freedom of Social Fighters and Political Prisoners said many freed remain under travel bans and court restrictions. Some groups have yet to confirm the exact number released. Despite the release, Venezuela’s political repression and US military pressure continue to shape the nation’s troubled landscape.