Ten years ago this town was a different place. Back when people still locked their doors at night and didn't worry so much about who might be knocking. But now...

Last night, the Venezuelan regime announced it had released hundreds of political prisoners as a sign that freedom is back in Venezuela under its rule. It's supposed to show how things are changing for the better.

But this morning, when I spoke with local NGOs who have been tracking these cases closely, they reported that nearly 1,000 individuals remain behind bars without any hope of release anytime soon. This stark reality speaks volumes about what's really going on in Venezuela.

The pattern is all too familiar to those who've watched this story unfold over the years. It’s not just that these people are imprisoned; it's how they're treated while incarcerated, and the lack of due process or transparency around their cases.

I’ve lived here 40 years and remember when things were different. Back then, you could have a conversation about politics without fear of arrest or worse. Now, we look at these announcements as little more than propaganda to make the outside world feel better while continuing business as usual inside Venezuela's borders.

It’s like watching an old movie where everything seems familiar until it isn’t anymore—the change is subtle but unmistakable once you notice it.

The NGOs I spoke with are concerned that this latest round of announcements is merely a tactic to distract from the regime’s ongoing human rights abuses. It's a way for them to say, “Look at us! We’re releasing people!” But when you dig deeper into the numbers and the conditions, it feels more like smoke and mirrors.

And let me tell you, this isn't the first time we've seen this playbook from Venezuela’s leaders. They’ve used similar tactics under previous administrations and now, they're at it again—hoping that by talking about freedom, people will forget about those who are still in chains.

The contrast is sharp. Ten years ago, you could talk openly about politics here without worrying. Now...