The Venezuelan government has begun releasing individuals regarded as political prisoners by human rights groups, in what officials described as a goodwill gesture amid ongoing political upheaval. The move comes shortly after a U.S. military operation on January 3 resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, who was flown to New York to face federal drug‑trafficking charges.
Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez, announced on Thursday that a “significant number” of detainees including both Venezuelan and foreign nationals were being freed as part of efforts to promote peace and peaceful coexistence. Rodríguez did not specify the total number of releases or the identities of all those freed.
Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that five Spanish citizens, including Venezuelan‑Spanish human rights lawyer Rocío San Miguel, were among those released and would be assisted in returning home. San Miguel had been detained since February 2024 on charges including alleged conspiracy and terrorism, which human rights advocates had criticised.
Human rights organisations such as Foro Penal estimate that Venezuela held more than 800 people for political reasons as of late December 2025. While the releases have been welcomed as a positive development by some rights advocates and international observers, they note that it remains unclear whether the freed prisoners will face restrictions on travel, reporting requirements, or other conditions once released.
The announcement also marks one of the first concrete actions by the interim government under Delcy Rodríguez, which has indicated a willingness to engage with international actors and address longstanding concerns over political repression. Civil society groups have called for greater transparency and broader amnesty measures to ensure sustained respect for human rights and political freedoms.
