05/01/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 3 January the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) hailed the release of several political opponents imprisoned in Venezuela. The spokesperson described their release as a "a welcome step". Seven opponents, including Manuel Rosales, the head of the New Time party, were released at the end of 2016. According to the NGO Foro Penal, there are still 103 political prisoners in the country. Following these releases, "further steps towards a genuine political dialogue in the country are to be encouraged", the EEAS spokesperson stated. "Meaningful and earnest dialogue is urgently needed to find lasting political solutions to the grave problems which the Venezuelan people are facing", the spokesperson added. Venezuela is facing a serious political and economic crisis. (CG)