Venezuela releases political prisoners under US Pressure
09th Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan government has begun releasing political detainees, many of them are considered as “political prisoners” by United States. Venezuela described the move as a goodwill gesture amid the rapidly shifting political circumstances. The announcement was made following the dramatic seizure of President Nicolás Maduro by the US forces in Caracas on Saturday. After that, he was flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that five Spanish nationals, including one dual citizen, were among those freed. One of them is believed to be Rocío San Miguel. She is a prominent human rights activist whose detention had drawn international condemnation. However, despite the announcement, only a limited number of prisoners are thought to have been released so far, while hundreds more remain behind bars.
Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, said on state television that “a significant number” of detainees would be released immediately. However, he neither specified how many prisoners would be freed nor provided a list of names. Rodríguez said the interim administration had taken the step in the interest of “national unity and peaceful coexistence”.
International reaction on release of Human Right Activist by Venezuela
Among the political prisoners released, the name of Rocío San Miguel was the first to be publicly confirmed. San Miguel who is an expert on security, defense, and the Venezuelan military, was arrested at Maiquetía airport near Caracas in February 2024. At the time, authorities alleged that she was involved in a plot to assassinate the president and charged her with the treason, conspiracy, and terrorism. Nonetheless, supporters and rights groups have long rejected those claims and debated that her detention was politically motivated.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan human rights organizations cautiously welcomed the move. Several groups noted that some of their own members or founders remain imprisoned, and therefore urged authorities to ensure broader and transparent releases. The US has repeatedly demanded the release of political prisoners, particularly during the periods of repression that are linked to elections or protests.
International pressure intensifies over Venezuela’s prisons
The announcement also came as the US President Trump said that he had “given orders to close that prison”. He referred to El Helicoide, which is known as one of Venezuela’s most notorious prison. Reports say around 50 to 80 detainees are believed to be held there. Furthermore, Human rights organizations have documented allegations of torture at the site, including beatings and electrocution.
However, rights group Provea warned that closing El Helicoide should not distract from other detention facilities, which are still operating nationwide. Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, whose several close allies are in prison, has repeatedly demanded mass releases. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said Machado was expected to visit the US soon. He added that accepting her offer of a Nobel Peace Prize would be “a great honor”.
Venezuela’s government has consistently denied holding political prisoners and insisted that detainees were arrested for legitimate reasons. Yet opposition figures argue that detentions intensified after the disputed 2024 election, as authorities sought to silence critics and suppress dissent.
Web Resources on Venezuela’s Prisoner Releases
1. TheWashingtonPost.com: Venezuela announces release of political prisoners
2. NYTimes.com: Venezuela Leaders Free Political Prisoners in a Sign of Possible Change
3. TheGuardian.com: Venezuela begins releasing political detainees to ‘consolidate peace’
4. APNews.com: Venezuela releases imprisoned opposition figures and activists