Venezuela releases two students jailed a year ago for protesting against Maduro

CARACAS - VENEZUELA -DECEMBER 17: Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez clash with police. (Getty)

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) – Venezuelan authorities have freed two student activists arrested during last year's anti-government protests.

The release of Gerardo Resplandor and Douglas Morillo comes a day after the country's most-prominent jailed politician ended a 30-day hunger strike in response to the government's scheduling of legislative elections. In calling off the protest, Leopoldo Lopez said that he hopes Venezuelan authorities also honor a commitment to release several detained activists suffering from medical problems.

Resplandor and Morillo are not among the prisoners about whom health concerns had been raised. Both continue to face charges of instigating violence during the wave of unrest that led to more than 40 deaths last year.

An estimated 75 activists who the opposition considers political prisoners remain in jail for their role in the protests.

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram