Venezuela's Interim Government Releases Political Prisoners Following Millitary Operation Against Maduro

In a significant development for Venezuela, the interim president Delcy Rodríguez announced the release of numerous political prisoners on Thursday, shortly after the U.S. military operation resulting in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. This move is seen as an effort to promote national unity amid the ongoing political turmoil in the country. Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly and brother of Delcy, conveyed this message during a video broadcast on TeleSur, although specific numbers and identities of the prisoners released remain unclear. As of January 5, 2026, the Venezuelan non-governmental organization Foro Penal reported that there were 806 political prisoners in the nation, including several foreigners. The release included five Spanish nationals who were confirmed to be on their way back to Spain, as announced by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on social media. The Minister expressed joy at the release, noting that the Spanish citizens had been detained after the postelectoral crisis of 2024. The impetus for this release is believed to have been a conditional demand from U.S. officials to the interim Venezuelan government, in light of the operations against Maduro, who has faced serious drug trafficking charges—allegations he denies. The demand for the release of political prisoners has been a longstanding issue among opponents to Chavismo, aligning with covert negotiations that have taken place. The first notable Venezuelan opposition figures to be released included Enrique Márquez and Biagio Pilieri, both of whom have been central figures in the opposition movement against the Maduro regime. Enrique Márquez was detained in January 2025, accused of involvement in an attempted coup, while Biagio Pilieri was arrested amid a government crackdown on opposition members post-2024 elections. Pilieri, a known journalist and businessman, was previously involved in local governance. Another prominent figure, Juan Pablo Guanipa, a Venezuelan lawyer and former deputy, has also been reported to be among those released. Guanipa had been detained in May 2025 under vague allegations related to preventing disorder during upcoming elections, and his whereabouts had been unknown until now. This mass release of political prisoners is a critical moment in Venezuelan politics and might ease some tensions following the capture of Maduro. However, full clarity on the total number of releases and the identities involved has yet to come. The NGO Foro Penal plans to publish an official list detailing all those released in the coming days. The situation remains fluid as the interim government works through the complexities of governance amidst international scrutiny and internal dissent, focusing on fostering dialogue and unity in what is still a deeply divided nation. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2