The announcement contradicts claims from local rights groups that no more than 70 prisoners have been freed.

Penitentiary Services Ministry says those freed had been 'deprived of their liberty' for disruptive acts.

La diferencias entre las cifras de excarcelados se deben a la complejidad de un proceso que incluye jueces, fiscales y autoridades penitenciarias

Jorge Rodríguez cuadriplica las cifras dadas solo 24 horas antes. Los números de las ONG son más modestos

The announcement contradicts claims from local rights groups that no more than 70 prisoners have been freed.

NGOs estimate that there are still close to 1,000 political prisoners in Venezuela despite claims by new leaders