Venezuela freed dozens of political prisoners on Friday as the government and opposition continued talks aimed at reconciliation following the ouster of Nicolas Maduro.

The government said 131 people had been granted “alternative measures from incarceration” under its Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence. Human rights group Foro Penal separately confirmed that six women had been released.

Among those freed was Emirlendris Benitez, who had been imprisoned over an alleged plot to assassinate Maduro in 2018. Benitez and her partner, Yolmer Escalona, were arrested after two drones carrying explosives flew toward Maduro during a military parade in Caracas.

The couple denied involvement in the incident but were later sentenced to 30 years in prison. Human rights groups said Benitez was tortured while detained. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for her immediate release in 2022.

Families gathered outside El Rodeo I prison in Guatire, east of Caracas, where AFP reporters witnessed emotional reunions between former prisoners and their relatives.

The releases came one day after opposition figure Dinorah Figuera said she would push for the release of political prisoners during formal talks with the interim government.

The US-brokered reconciliation talks began last week and concluded their first round on Wednesday. A joint statement from both sides did not mention political prisoners.

The interim government, led by Delcy Rodriguez, had already released hundreds of prisoners following Maduro’s removal. Rodriguez also supported an amnesty law passed in February.

Before Friday’s releases, Foro Penal said more than 350 political prisoners were still being held.

The government and opposition are now seeking progress through further negotiations. The talks are being led by Figuera and Jorge Rodriguez, the interim president’s brother and head of the National Assembly.

Many Venezuelans hope the process will eventually lead to democratic elections after Maduro’s 2018 and 2024 victories were rejected by the opposition and several foreign governments as fraudulent.