CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Roughly a fourth of the people detained in Venezuela during the civil unrest that followed the July presidential election have been granted prison release orders, the country’s chief prosecutor announced Monday.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab said in a statement posted on Instagram that a review of cases linked to the unrest resulted in 533 release “measures sought" by his office and "agreed” upon by the judicial system. It wasn't immediately clear how many of those orders have been executed.
President Nicolás Maduro ordered the review amid increasing pressure from the international community for the repression campaign his government unleashed after the election, including the arrests of more than 2,000 adults and minors.
Venezuela’s governing party, which controls all aspects of government, tightened the crackdown on dissent after it and the opposition both claimed to have won the July 28 vote, prompting nationwide protests. At least 24 people were killed in the demonstrations, and a human rights watchdog has implicated state security forces in some of the deaths.
The United States, European Union and even some fellow leftist governments in Latin America have demanded that Venezuela’s National Electoral Council present detailed voting records, as it has in the past, to refute tally sheets presented by Maduro’s opponents showing their candidate, Edmundo González, prevailed by a two-to-one margin.
The U.S., EU and other nations recognized González as the election winner. But the former diplomat left Venezuela for exile in Spain in September after Saab’s office issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the publishing online of the tally sheets.
FILE - People detained during a government crackdown following anti-government protests against the results of the presidential election walk out of the Yare 3 prison upon their release, in San Francisco de Yare, Venezuela, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez, File)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw his first touchdown pass in five weeks and the Atlanta Falcons did just enough Monday night to beat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 and keep pace in the NFC South race.
Trying to pull off a late comeback, Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder lofted two desperation passes into the end zone in the final 10 seconds. The first was incomplete and the second was intercepted by Jessie Bates III.
The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game losing streak to remain a game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Las Vegas (2-12) lost its 10th consecutive game, the NFL's longest active skid, and is tied with the New York Giants for the league's worst record. It is the fifth-longest skid in Raiders history, and worst since dropping 16 in a row a decade ago.
Cousins entered with no touchdown passes and eight interceptions over his previous four starts, raising questions about whether rookie Michael Penix Jr. would take over at quarterback. Falcons coach Raheem Morris stuck by Cousins — who signed a four-year, $180 million contract this year — over the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft.
Cousins did little to assuage concerns about his play, passing for just 112 yards with an interception. His 30-yard pass to a wide-open Drake London with 14 seconds left in the first quarter to put Atlanta ahead 7-0 was his first touchdown toss since firing three of them Nov. 3 in a 27-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys
The Falcons got the rest of their scoring on two field goals from Younghoe Koo and a safety by defensive lineman Zach Harrison.
Bijan Robinson rushed for 125 yards and London caught three passes for 53 yards to give him 219 career receptions. London passed Calvin Ridley's 217 catches for most in Falcons history over a player's first three seasons.
Atlanta prevented Ridder from putting a dent in its playoff plans. Ridder, who started 13 games for the Falcons last season before he was traded to Arizona, was stymied most of the night in his first start this season. In replacing Aidan O'Connell, inactive because of a bruised left knee, Ridder passed for 208 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
The injury-riddled Raiders gained just 249 yards, and they have trailed by double digits in all 14 games this season.
O'Connell wasn't the only player missing. Defensive end Maxx Crosby announced Saturday he would be undergoing season-ending ankle surgery. Las Vegas also lost running back Sincere McCormick, who had recently become the starter, to an ankle injury early in the second quarter.
Falcons: Host the New York Giants on Sunday.
Raiders: Host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Atlanta Falcons' KhaDarel Hodge (12) blocks the punt of Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris smiles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) celebrates his touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
