Venezuela Frees More “Political Prisoners”

Venezuela released more prisoners over the weekend as the United States continues to pressure the country’s acting government to free those jailed under former leader Nicolás Maduro.

The Venezuelan prison rights organisation, Foro Penal, said at least 266 “political prisoners” have been released since January 8, including more than 100 over the past weekend. The releases follow a public promise by the government to free a “significant number” of detainees in what it called a step toward national reconciliation.

The developments come after Maduro was captured by U.S. forces on January 3, leading Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume power as acting president. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the releases in a post on Truth Social, calling them a “powerful humanitarian gesture”.

According to the Associated Press, those freed include an opposition activist, a human rights lawyer, and a journalism student who had been jailed after criticising conditions in his hometown.

Despite the releases, Foro Penal estimates that at least 600 dissidents remain in detention, including members of the opposition party led by Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado.

Meanwhile, government officials have given conflicting figures. Rodríguez said more than 620 prisoners had been freed, while Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claimed the total since December was 808. Cabello also denied that Venezuela holds political prisoners, saying detainees are imprisoned for criminal offences.