Venezuela announces political prisoner releases as authorities seek to ease tensions amid rising domestic and international pressure. Officials describe the move as a step toward national reconciliation.
The announcement comes after significant political upheaval, including the recent US operation involving President Nicolás Maduro. Government officials framed the releases as a gesture to consolidate peace.
Former opposition presidential candidate Enrique Márquez was among the first to leave prison, appearing in a video alongside his wife and fellow opposition member Biagio Pilieri.
“It’s all over now,” Márquez said, sharing relief and hope after years of detention, as his family and supporters celebrated cautiously across social media and Venezuelan communities.
Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that five Spanish nationals, including one dual citizen, were released with assistance from the Spanish embassy in Caracas. Travel arrangements were being made for them to return to Spain.
Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares identified one of the released detainees as Rocío San Miguel, a Spanish-Venezuelan lawyer and human rights activist detained since February 2024 on charges of treason and conspiracy.
San Miguel’s release marks a significant milestone, reflecting the government’s efforts to respond to international scrutiny while trying to maintain political control and public legitimacy.
Venezuela opposition reaction has been cautiously optimistic, with María Corina Machado calling the releases a sign that injustice cannot endure indefinitely, even in a politically repressive environment.
“This is an important day because truth, although wounded, ultimately emerges,” Machado said, urging citizens to remain vigilant while embracing hope for justice and reconciliation.
Despite the announcement, uncertainty remains over how many detainees are actually being freed. Authorities have not released full lists or a complete timeline for the operation.
Human rights organisations estimate Venezuela holds between 800 and 1,000 political prisoners, many arrested during protests following the disputed 2024 presidential election, which was widely condemned internationally.
Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s national assembly, described the releases as a unilateral gesture aimed at reaffirming the government’s commitment to peace, coexistence, and national unity.
Rodríguez emphasised that the initiative reflects the state’s desire to promote stability and encouraged Venezuelans to view the move as a contribution toward broader societal reconciliation.
Families rushed to prisons across the country after reports of the releases, seeking confirmation about whether relatives might be included among those freed, creating scenes of anticipation and tension.
Outside a prison in Guatire, Pedro Durán awaited news about his brother Franklin, detained in 2021 on allegations of conspiracy, which the family insists were politically motivated.
Durán, who lives in Spain, flew to Caracas after hearing rumours that a group of detainees might be released, describing a mix of anxiety, hope, and exhaustion shared by many families.
Before the announcement, more than 40 foreign nationals were reported to be detained, including Spaniards and US citizens, with some held in military intelligence facilities such as the Helicoide in Caracas.
US President Donald Trump previously claimed Venezuela operated a torture centre in Caracas, alleging that authorities were now in the process of closing sections of the infamous facility.
El Helicoide de la Roca Tarpeya, originally a 1950s avant-garde shopping complex, later became notorious as a prison and detention centre associated with political repression.
Human rights monitors confirmed that some sections of El Helicoide are being vacated, but key administrative and police operations reportedly remain active, making the full closure uncertain.
Martha Tineo, of the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón, said that while some areas are being cleared, it is too early to confirm whether the detention centre will be completely closed.
Tineo urged caution, noting that legal procedures and administrative delays often slow down the release process, especially when dealing with large numbers of detainees.
Prior to Rodríguez’s announcement, Tineo’s organisation estimated 1,017 political prisoners remained in Venezuela, highlighting the scale of ongoing political detentions in the country.
By late Thursday, the NGO confirmed only around eight to ten detainees had been freed, choosing not to release names to avoid raising false hope among families awaiting news.
Activists remain wary due to past announcements overstating release numbers, which were later contradicted by independent verification and local monitoring groups.
In December, the government claimed 187 detainees were released across two days, but watchdog organisations confirmed that significantly fewer were actually freed, highlighting transparency concerns.
Tineo expressed cautious optimism that additional releases may occur gradually over the coming days as procedural steps are completed and paperwork finalised.
She emphasised the importance of maintaining composure and vigilance, noting that families must stay united in both hope and careful observation.
Another rights organisation, Foro Penal, estimated 806 political prisoners remain detained and confirmed only five releases by early evening, with many freed under conditional terms such as travel bans.
Foro Penal director Alfredo Romero criticised partial or conditional releases, warning that many of those freed still face restrictions on movement and public speech regarding their cases.
At a press conference, Jorge Rodríguez said details about the individuals released would soon be public, though hours later, many specifics had yet to be confirmed.
Rodríguez said the government’s action reflects good faith, presenting it as a gesture of national reconciliation and an attempt to foster a more peaceful and prosperous society.
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While Venezuela announces political prisoner releases, activists continue to call for transparency, unconditional freedom, and reforms that address systemic political repression.
The government’s initiative may represent a first step toward easing tensions, but long-term stability will depend on broader political and legal changes across the country.
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