Human rights group Foro Penal said more than 621 political prisoners have been released since Maduro’s ouster, though about 500 remain behind bars...

Venezuela released 17 political prisoners on Saturday from a jail in the capital Caracas after a new amnesty law granted relief for crimes historically used to jail dissidents.

The law, adopted last month, is one of the most significant reforms championed by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed power after former leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in January.

Family members had demanded their release for weeks. In Caracas, a group of women staged a hunger strike lasting nearly a week, while relatives camped outside detention facilities. Some chained themselves to the gates of the national police facility known as Zone 7 and slept in tents for days.

“Get dressed; everyone’s leaving,” a guard told detainees before the release, according to Omar Torres, a political activist who spoke to reporters after walking free.

“I feel very happy,” Torres said. “I don’t think this is the time to blame anyone. I’m happy to be free.”

Authorities say more than 7,000 people have been granted freedom under the new measures, including prisoners and individuals previously under parole conditions.

However, unlike detainees released from other facilities whose cases were dismissed, those freed from Zone 7 must still appear in court to finalize their release.

“We will continue seeking improvement and freedom for the other political prisoners,” said Brayan Orozco, the son of former congressman Fernando Orozco.

“Thanks to the people of Venezuela,” he added, as crowds chanted “freedom, freedom” and embraced outside the prison gates.