Venezuela says it will release an ‘important number’ of political prisoners

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Venezuela is releasing an “important number” of political prisoners, including foreigners, the head of the country’s legislature said on Thursday.

The announcement could be the first sign that the new government is open to returning some freedom of expression to the country, and bending to pressure from opposition groups and the American government.

The move has been taken as “a unilateral gesture to maintain the peace and in order to secure our unbreakable decision to consolidate peace in the Republic, and peaceful coexistence,” Jorge Rodríguez, who is the older brother of the country’s new president, Delcy Rodríguez, told reporters.

Jorge Rodríguez said the process of releasing prisoners has already begun. “The process of release is occurring from this very moment,” he said.

He did not offer details as to who would be released or by when. The State Department declined to comment on the announcement.

Venezuela holds between 800 and 900 political prisoners, according to rights groups, most of them swept up under the leadership of Nicolás Maduro, whose was captured by U.S. forces on Saturday.

The South American country has imprisoned several Americans over the years. They released six detained Americans in January 2025, after Trump’s envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, held talks with Maduro in Caracas.

Families of those imprisoned and opposition groups have been calling for such a move, and putting pressure on the American government over the issue.

F. Brinley Bruton reported from Bogotá, and Carmen Sesin from Miami.