World

Venezuela: Judge Afiuni regains full freedom after years in detention

Herz — World Desk · 8 August 2026 at 04:21 · 30s summary · 1 min read

The essentials

Venezuelan judge Afiuni regained full freedom on August 8, 2026, according to Le Monde, after being a political prisoner since the late 2000s. Her conviction followed a judicial procedure described as “arbitrary” by the United Nations. Former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez had publicly demanded a 30-year prison sentence against her after she released an anti-Chavista banker accused of fraud.

Judge Afiuni regained full freedom in Venezuela on August 8, 2026
She had been a political prisoner since the late 2000s
The UN described the judicial procedure against her as arbitrary
Hugo Chávez publicly demanded 30 years in prison against her

What we know

Venezuelan judge Afiuni regained full freedom on August 8, 2026, according to Le Monde. She had been a political prisoner since the late 2000s.

Her conviction followed a judicial procedure described as “arbitrary” by the United Nations (UN). Former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez had publicly demanded a 30-year prison sentence against her after she released an anti-Chavista banker accused of fraud.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Judge Afiuni?

Afiuni is a Venezuelan judge imprisoned since the late 2000s. She ordered the release of a banker opposed to the government of Hugo Chávez who was accused of fraud, which led to a criminal conviction.

Why was she imprisoned?

Former president Hugo Chávez publicly demanded 30 years in prison against her after she released an anti-Chavista banker accused of fraud. The UN described the subsequent judicial procedure as arbitrary.

When did she regain her freedom?

On August 8, 2026, according to Le Monde.