Several hundred supporters of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro held modest demonstrations in Caracas on Saturday, a week after his capture by US forces, while the interim government moved to restore diplomatic ties with Washington and began releasing some political prisoners.
Waving flags and holding placards featuring Maduro and his wife Cilia, around 1,000 protesters gathered in western Caracas and a few hundred in the eastern Petare district—a far smaller turnout than past pro-Maduro rallies.
“I’ll march as often as I have to until Nicolas and Cilia come back,” said 69-year-old demonstrator Soledad Rodriguez, referring to the couple, who were taken to New York to face drug-trafficking charges. “I trust completely that they will return—they’ve been kidnapped.”
Relatives of political prisoners also held candlelight vigils outside El Rodeo I prison in Guatire, Miranda State, about 30 km east of Caracas.
Notably, top government figures were absent from the demonstrations. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez attended an agricultural fair instead, pledging on television that she would “not rest for a minute until we have our president back.” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez were also absent.
Diplomatic Moves
Signs of cooperation with Washington emerged despite Maduro’s capture during violent nighttime raids on January 3. Delcy Rodriguez said Venezuela would pursue “the diplomatic route,” and US envoys reportedly visited Caracas to discuss reopening the embassy. She also indicated willingness to cooperate with US President Donald Trump on oil access, while assuring pro-Maduro supporters that Venezuela would not be “subordinate” to Washington.
The US embassy in Colombia warned Americans to leave Venezuela immediately, citing a “fluid” security situation.
Political Prisoners
The interim government has begun releasing prisoners detained under Maduro, in a move Washington hailed. However, by Saturday evening, only 21 had been freed, though human rights groups estimate 800–1,200 political prisoners remain. Families staged vigils outside prisons like El Rodeo and El Helicoide, holding signs with the names of relatives. “I am tired and angry,” said Nebraska Rivas, 57, waiting for her son’s release. “But I have faith they will return him soon.”
Oil Talks
Following Maduro’s capture, Trump pledged to secure US access to Venezuela’s oil reserves. The White House signed an emergency order protecting US-held revenues from Venezuelan oil and encouraged top oil executives to invest in the country’s resources, though experts note Venezuela’s oil infrastructure is weakened after years of mismanagement and sanctions.
In the meantime, Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, released a video saying his father is “doing well” in jail, even as the interim government balances US diplomacy with domestic pressures from Maduro’s base.