Venezuela has begun freeing a significant number of political prisoners, including foreign nationals, a development praised by US President Donald Trump as a positive step toward cooperation following the removal of former leader Nicolas Maduro.
The releases, which started on Thursday, mark the first such action since Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, assumed leadership with backing from Washington. Trump has indicated he is willing to support her administration provided the United States gains access to Venezuela’s oil resources.
In a social media post on Friday, Trump described the prisoner releases as a gesture of “seeking peace,” calling it a “very important and smart move.” He said relations between Washington and Caracas were improving and revealed that he had cancelled a planned second round of US strikes against Venezuela due to what he termed growing cooperation.
Among those freed was former opposition presidential candidate Enrique Marquez, who contested the disputed 2024 election against Maduro. The White House credited Trump with securing the releases, saying he used strong leverage to benefit both Americans and Venezuelans.
Interim authorities in Caracas said a large number of Venezuelan and foreign detainees were being released in the interest of peaceful coexistence, though they did not disclose exact figures or locations. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado welcomed the development, saying justice would ultimately prevail.
The releases raised hopes among families gathered outside detention centres in Caracas, including El Helicoide, a notorious facility long associated with political imprisonment. Spain also confirmed that several of its citizens were among those freed.
Despite the move, rights groups estimate that more than 800 political prisoners remain in Venezuelan custody.
Meanwhile, tensions persist over US influence in the country. While Trump has spoken openly about controlling Venezuela during a transitional period and tapping its vast oil reserves, Rodriguez has insisted that the country is neither surrendered nor subjugated.
Oil has emerged as a central issue in US–Venezuela relations, with Trump proposing the sale of millions of barrels of Venezuelan crude, while warning Rodriguez of severe consequences if she fails to comply with Washington’s demands.