Venezuelan Government Initiates Release of Political Prisoners Amid US Reroutes

Sat Jan 10 2026 22:30:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant move, the Venezuelan government has begun releasing political prisoners following US intervention. This action, seen as a goodwill gesture, could signal a shift in Venezuela's relations with international actors, particularly the US.

The Venezuelan government has initiated the release of political prisoners, including notable activists, in a gesture perceived as goodwill amid recent US actions against President Maduro. Prominent rights advocate Rocío San Miguel is among those freed. The situation highlights long-standing concerns over human rights in Venezuela, with calls for further action against the nation’s political repression.

The Venezuelan government has started releasing detainees considered political prisoners by human rights groups, in what officials described as a goodwill gesture.

Spain's foreign ministry said five of its nationals had been released. Among them is prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist, Rocío San Miguel, her family confirmed to US media.

The move comes after the US seized Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro in a raid on the capital, Caracas, to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

US President Donald Trump praised the release of political prisoners, which has been a long-held demand from the US, calling it a very important and smart gesture from Venezuela.

Trump emphasized that this release could indicate a desire for peace, leading him to cancel a previously expected wave of attacks on the country.

Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, announced on state television that a significant number of political prisoners would be released, though he did not specify the number or identity of those freed.

Currently, hundreds of political prisoners are said to be detained in Venezuelan prisons, with only a handful reporting release at this time. Rodríguez stated that the interim government was acting in the interest of national unity and peaceful coexistence.

Rocío San Miguel was confirmed as the first prisoner freed; she was arrested in 2024 and accused of conspiracy against the state, sparking outrage among human rights activists.

While the announcement of releases comes as good news, Venezuelan human rights organizations have expressed caution, highlighting that many others remain imprisoned across various facilities in Venezuela.

In recent developments, President Trump stated that he had ordered the closure of El Helicoide prison, known for alleged torture and repression against political opponents, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive change within the Venezuelan prison system.

Though Rodriguez’s administration is under heavy scrutiny, this move could mark a potential thaw in relations between the US and Venezuela, especially as opposition figures like Maria Corina Machado push for significant political reforms within the country.