In a significant development, the Venezuelan government has initiated the release of a substantial number of prisoners, a move described by the head of the National Assembly as a gesture to "seek peace." This action comes less than a week after former President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces to face drug-trafficking charges in New York.
A Gesture for Peace Amid Political Upheaval
Jorge Rodriguez, who leads the National Assembly and is the brother of acting President Delcy Rodriguez, announced the releases on Thursday via state television. While he did not specify the exact number of individuals or their identities, he confirmed that the process "is happening right now." This marks the first such release since the deposition of former leader Nicolas Maduro.
Rodriguez framed the decision as a conciliatory step, stating, "Consider this a gesture by the Bolivarian government, which is broadly intended to seek peace." Human rights advocates have welcomed the news but remain cautious, questioning whether this signals a genuine transition or a symbolic move to appease the international community, particularly the Trump administration in the US.
Details of the Release: Spanish Nationals and Political Detainees
The Spanish government confirmed that five of its citizens were among those freed and would soon return to Spain. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares identified them as prominent lawyer and activist Rocio San Miguel, along with Andres Martinez, Jose Maria Basoa, Ernesto Gorbe, and Miguel Moreno.
Basoa and Martinez were arrested in September 2024, accused by Venezuelan authorities of being Spanish intelligence agents involved in plots to destabilize Maduro's government—allegations Spain denied. Gorbe was reportedly detained for overstaying his visa.
Alfredo Romero, president of the Caracas-based prisoner advocacy group Foro Penal, called the releases "good news" but urged that it must not be a mere charade. His organization estimates that as of December 29, 2025, 863 people were detained in Venezuela for "political reasons." The Venezuelan government, however, denies holding any political prisoners, accusing detainees of conspiring against the state.
Families Wait in Hope and Fear
Outside prisons like the one in Guatire, about 43 kilometers from Caracas, anxious families gathered on Thursday hoping for reunions. Pedro Duran, who flew from Spain after hearing rumors of the release, waited for his brother Franklin, detained since 2021 on charges the family denies.
"I don't have words to express the emotion I'm feeling," Duran said. "We're feeling a lot of hope... We're just waiting now." Despite the hope, a pervasive sense of fear about an uncertain future lingers among many citizens.
Analysts like Ronal Rodriguez from the University of Rosario in Bogota view the releases as a strategic tool. "The regime uses them like a bargaining chip," he noted, pointing to a 2024 prisoner swap with the US. Observers are watching to see if high-profile detainees are freed or if releases come with conditions like house arrest.
The prisoner release unfolds against a backdrop of increased US involvement. On Wednesday, the Trump administration seized sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and announced plans to relax some sanctions to oversee global sales of Venezuelan petroleum, aiming to control the country's next steps through its vast oil resources.
