Venezuelan authorities have begun releasing detainees long described by human rights organisations as political prisoners, signalling a potential shift in the country’s approach to long-standing detention practices.
Government officials said the releases were being carried out as a confidence-building measure intended to promote social stability and national reconciliation. While officials have not disclosed how many people will be freed, they confirmed that both Venezuelan citizens and foreign nationals are included.
Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that five Spanish nationals had been released, including a prominent human rights advocate who had been detained since 2024. Diplomatic sources described the development as constructive, though they stressed that further steps were needed.
The announcement follows heightened international scrutiny after U.S. authorities captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a rapid operation in Caracas, transferring him to the United States to face drug-related charges. The event dramatically altered Venezuela’s political landscape and intensified calls for reforms.
Jorge Rodríguez, head of the National Assembly, said on state television that the interim administration had authorised the releases in the interest of “peaceful coexistence” and unity. He did not specify the identities of most detainees or provide a timeline for additional releases.
Human rights organisations cautiously welcomed the move but warned it represents only a small step. Hundreds of political detainees are believed to remain imprisoned across the country, many arrested following the disputed 2024 election and subsequent protests.
Attention has also focused on El Helicoide, a high-security detention facility that has long drawn criticism from rights groups. U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to shut down the prison, which has been widely cited in reports alleging mistreatment of detainees. Advocacy groups, however, cautioned that closing a single facility would not resolve broader concerns about arbitrary detention nationwide.
Opposition figures reiterated calls for the unconditional release of all detainees held for political reasons. Several families gathered outside prisons in Caracas and other cities, awaiting confirmation of further releases.
Venezuelan officials continue to deny holding political prisoners, maintaining that all detainees were arrested for criminal offences. Rights groups dispute this claim, arguing that detention has been systematically used to suppress dissent.
As releases continue, observers say the coming weeks will determine whether the move represents a meaningful policy change or a limited gesture amid intense international pressure.