Women's rights activist Naomi Arnaudez was released from prison today after detention since May 2025, according to an X post by @ThomasVLinge at an unspecified time within the reporting window from 7:16:14 PM to 8:15:51 PM UTC on February 8, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela. The release follows a regime crackdown days before regional elections. Arnaudez was arrested in May along with countless others in the crackdown, as stated by @ThomasVLinge. This marks the latest in a series of political prisoner releases on February 8, including opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa earlier in the day after eight months in detention, confirmed via opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado's X post at 5:30 PM UTC. The release of Arnaudez follows announcements anticipating additional political prisoner liberations, such as opposition figure Agus Antonetti's 6:00 PM UTC X post stating several releases were expected today. No official government confirmation of Arnaudez's release appeared in the 59-minute window. Separate prior developments included the arrest of Carlos Rolando Lizcano, associate of Alex Saab, last night in Venezuela, reported by @OrlvndoA at 6:46 PM UTC, though lacking official confirmation.
