Venezuela released a number of imprisoned opposition figures, activists, journalists and foreign nationals on Thursday in what the government described as a gesture to “seek peace,” less than a week after former president Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces on drug-trafficking charges.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the releases were made at Washington’s request, praising cooperation from the government led by acting president Delcy Rodríguez. Speaking on Fox News, Trump said Venezuelan authorities had been “great” and were delivering on U.S. demands.
Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of the acting president, announced that a “significant number” of detainees would be freed, though officials did not immediately confirm an exact total. Venezuela has long denied holding political prisoners, despite repeated claims by opposition groups and human rights organisations.
Among those released were Biagio Pilieri, an opposition leader involved in Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado’s 2024 campaign, and Enrique Márquez, a former electoral authority and presidential candidate. Videos shared online showed both men reuniting with family members outside prison facilities.
Five Spanish citizens were also released, including prominent Venezuelan-Spanish human rights lawyer Rocío San Miguel. As news spread, families gathered outside prisons near Caracas, chanting “Libertad! Libertad!” as more detainees walked free.
The releases are widely seen as a diplomatic signal to the United States amid negotiations over Venezuela’s political transition and future control of its oil-rich economy. However, opposition leaders stress that many prisoners remain behind bars, calling for broader and permanent releases.
