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Venezuela frees detainees following US pressure
Venezuelan authorities have begun releasing individuals classified as political prisoners by human rights organizations, a move officials framed as a gesture of goodwill. The development follows the dramatic arrest of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces in Caracas over the weekend on drug trafficking charges.
Spanish nationals among those released
Spain's foreign ministry confirmed the release of five Spanish citizens, including Rocío San Miguel, a high-profile Venezuelan-Spanish human rights activist and defense analyst. San Miguel's family told US media she had been taken to the Spanish embassy in Caracas after her detention.
San Miguel, a vocal critic of Maduro's government, was arrested in 2024 and accused of involvement in an alleged assassination plot against the former president. She faced charges of treason, conspiracy, and terrorism. The United Nations had previously raised concerns about her case, citing potential "enforced disappearance."
Government cites national unity
Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly and brother of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, announced the releases on state television. He described the move as part of efforts to promote "national unity and peaceful coexistence" but did not specify the number or identities of those freed.
Human rights groups estimate hundreds of political prisoners remain detained in Venezuelan prisons, with only a fraction released so far. Provea, a Venezuelan rights organization, cautioned that the closure of the notorious El Helicoide prison-announced by US President Donald Trump following Maduro's arrest-should not overshadow ongoing detentions at other facilities.
US demands and opposition reactions
The release of political prisoners has long been a key demand of the US, particularly amid crackdowns during elections or protests. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate with imprisoned allies, has repeatedly called for such actions. In an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Trump indicated Machado was expected to visit the US soon and suggested he would accept her Nobel Prize if offered.
Venezuelan authorities have consistently denied holding political prisoners, arguing that detainees were arrested for legitimate crimes. Attorney General Tarek Saab and other officials have maintained this stance despite widespread reports of repression targeting activists, journalists, and opposition figures, particularly after the contested 2024 election.
El Helicoide's legacy of repression
El Helicoide, a prison infamous for housing political opponents, has been linked to reports of torture, including beatings and electrocution. Trump announced plans to shut it down following Maduro's capture, calling it a symbol of political repression. However, Provea warned that other detention sites across Venezuela continue to operate, urging sustained attention to the issue.
Uncertainty ahead
While the releases mark a rare concession from Venezuela's interim government, human rights groups remain cautious. The extent of the releases and the fate of remaining detainees remain unclear, with activists calling for broader reforms to address systemic repression.
