The Venezuelan government has started freeing detainees identified as political prisoners by human rights groups, describing the move as a gesture of goodwill. Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that five of its nationals, including one dual national, have been released. Rights activist Rocio San Miguel is among those freed.
The announcement follows a dramatic week in Caracas, where US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in a swift raid on Saturday, bringing him to New York to face drug trafficking charges. The release of political prisoners has long been a key demand of the US, especially during periods of political unrest or alleged repression.
Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim president Delcy Rodriguez, confirmed on state television that “a significant number” of prisoners would be freed immediately, without specifying numbers or identities. Hundreds of political prisoners remain in Venezuelan detention centers, with only a handful confirmed released so far.
“The interim government is releasing them in the interest of national unity and peaceful coexistence,” Rodriguez said.
Who Has Been Released So Far?
The first confirmed release, Rocio San Miguel, is an expert on security, defense, and Venezuela’s military. She was arrested at Maiquetia airport near Caracas in February 2024. At the time, authorities alleged she was involved in a plot to assassinate then-president Maduro, facing charges of treason, conspiracy, and terrorism.
Human rights organizations in Venezuela have cautiously welcomed the announcement. While some activists and their families remain in detention, the move signals a possible willingness by Delcy Rodriguez’s interim administration to cooperate with the US following Maduro’s capture.
Approximately 50 to 80 prisoners are thought to remain in El Helicoide prison, a site notorious for political detentions. The facility has been linked to allegations of torture, including beatings and electrocution. US President Donald Trump has called for El Helicoide’s closure as part of broader reforms in Venezuela’s prison system. Human rights group Provea warned that the closure should not distract from other detention centers still operating across the country.
What Does This Mean for Venezuela’s Political Climate?
Venezuela’s opposition, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, has long called for the release of political prisoners, citing detentions as a tool to suppress dissent. Since the disputed 2024 elections, activists, journalists, and political adversaries have reportedly faced increased legal challenges.
The interim government insists that those released or still detained were arrested for legitimate crimes, with Attorney General Tarek Saab emphasizing that Venezuela does not hold political prisoners. Nonetheless, these releases could mark a critical step in easing tensions, signaling potential cooperation with international actors, and reshaping the country’s fraught political landscape.
By Lucky Anyanje
Source BBC