Venezuelan government begins releasing political prisoners

The Venezuelan government has begun releasing detainees considered political prisoners by human rights groups, in what authorities have called a gesture of goodwill.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said five of its nationals, including one with dual nationality, had been released. Among them is human rights activist Rocío San Miguel.

This decision comes after that of the United States seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a lightning raid on the capital, Caracas, on Saturday to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

The release of political prisoners in Venezuela has been a long-standing U.S. demand, particularly in times of heightened repression around elections or protests.

Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of its interim president Delcy Rodríguez, announced on state television that “a significant number” would be released immediately, without specifying the number or identity of the released prisoners.

Hundreds of political prisoners are being held in Venezuelan prisons, with only a handful reportedly released so far.

Jorge Rodríguez said the interim government was releasing them in the interest of “national unity and peaceful coexistence.”

The release of Venezuelan security, defense and military expert San Miguel was the first released prisoner to be confirmed. She was arrested at Maiquetia airport, near Caracas, in February 2024.

It was claimed at the time that San Miguel, a vocal critic of Maduro, was involved in a plot to kill then-president and was charged with treason, conspiracy and terrorism.

Venezuelan human rights organizations – some of which have members or their founders in prison – greeted the news with caution.

Despite being a key lieutenant of Maduro, the interim administration of Delcy Rodríguez appears willing to cooperate with the United States since taking over its leader and made sweeping statements about the future of the South American nation.

Between 50 and 80 prisoners are believed to be held in the notorious El Helicoide prison, which US President Donald Trump announced would close after Maduro’s capture.

The prison has gained international notoriety for the detention of suspected political opponents, with human rights groups reporting torture, including beatings and electrocution.

The announcement also comes shortly after US President Donald Trump said he had “given the order to close this prison”, which has become one of the most notorious symbols of political repression in the country.

Venezuelan human rights organization Provea warned that the planned closure of El Helicoide should not distract from other detention sites still operating in the country.

Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, who has several close allies in prison, has repeatedly called for his release.

In an interview with Fox News’ Hannity, Trump said Machado is expected to come to the United States “next week.”

Machado told host Sean Hannity earlier in the week that she wanted to award the U.S. president her Nobel Peace Prize. When Hannity asked if Trump would accept the offer, he replied that “it would be a great honor.”

Venezuela’s opposition and human rights groups have said for years that the government uses detentions to eliminate dissent and silence critics.

Since the widely contested 2024 elections, the opposition has said legal proceedings against activists, journalists and political adversaries have increased.

Attorney General Tarek Saab and other members of the government have repeatedly denied that Venezuela is holding political prisoners, arguing that they were arrested for real crimes.

Additional reporting by Norberto Paredes.