Venezuela Releases American Political Prisoners

The Venezuelan regime released multiple detained Americans, the Trump administration announced on Jan. 13, in what U.S. officials described as a constructive move following the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.

“We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela,” the State Department said in a statement. “This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities.”

The State Department declined to specify the number of individuals freed and did not immediately return a request for comment.

The release comes 10 days after the U.S. military captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from a fortified compound in Caracas, Venezuela, in the middle of the night to face drug and arms-related charges in the United States. Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to all charges on Jan. 5.

According to the Pentagon, seven U.S. troops were injured during the operation, with five having recovered and returned to active duty by Jan. 7. Venezuelan and Cuban officials claimed that at least 56 of their forces were killed in the raid.

Last week, Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s national assembly and brother of interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, said that a “significant number” of Venezuelans and foreigners imprisoned in the Latin American country would be released as a gesture to “seek peace” following Maduro’s capture.

Local human rights organization Foro Penal verified that 56 political prisoners had been released as of the evening of Jan. 13, including two prominent Venezuelan opposition figures, as reported by rights groups.

The Venezuelan regime says 400 prisoners had been released but did not provide any identities, a time frame, or proof of release.

Foro Penal Director Alfredo Romero said the group will be verifying each of the released detainees.

“We already know of some people on their way to freedom, including foreigners,” Romero said in a social media post on Jan. 8.

It remains unclear how many political prisoners are expected to be released.

Romero said on Jan. 6 that 863 individuals were still imprisoned for political reasons in Venezuela, including 86 detainees with foreign nationality.

Despite longstanding hostilities between Washington and Caracas, prisoner exchanges have occasionally served as a bridge.

In July, Venezuela freed 10 jailed U.S. citizens and permanent residents in exchange for Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States to El Salvador.

Approximately 2,200 people were arrested by Venezuelan authorities following the country’s disputed presidential election in 2024, according to a July 15, 2025, report by Amnesty International.

Aldgra Fredly and The Associated Press contributed to this report.