Venezuela Releases Over 100 Political Prisoners

Release of Political Prisoners in Venezuela

In Venezuela, the government has announced the release of at least 116 political prisoners, following arrests made during Nicolas Maduro's presidency. The announcement came nine days after the United States conducted a military operation to detain Maduro. The Venezuelan Ministry of Penitentiary Services stated on Monday that the prisoners were released "in the last hours," following a similar release that occurred a few days earlier.

The released individuals were described as having been "deprived of their freedom for acts associated with disturbing constitutional order and undermining national stability." Among those released are two Italian citizens, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani promising to improve relations between Rome and Caracas in response.

However, the human rights organization Foro Penal previously contested this, stating that only 41 individuals had been released, including 24 who were released overnight. The release of political prisoners in Venezuela has been a long-standing demand from human rights groups, international bodies, and opposition leaders. Estimates suggest that between 800 and 1,200 political prisoners are currently imprisoned in Venezuela.

These releases, which began on Thursday, followed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that Washington "is responsible" for the Latin American country following the military operation on January 3 to detain Maduro, which sparked global protests and criticism. Maduro is now facing drug trafficking charges and is currently held in a New York prison.

On Saturday, Trump celebrated the release of the prisoners, calling it a "great achievement." He added that he hopes the released individuals "remember how lucky they were that the U.S. intervened and did what had to be done."

Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado held a private audience with Pope Leo XIV on Monday. So far, few details have been released about the meeting. On Friday, the Pope called for the protection of Venezuela's sovereignty and issued a plea "to respect the will of the Venezuelan people and ensure the human and civil rights of all." Machado, who is on a tour in Europe, is expected to meet with Trump this week after he stated on January 3 that Maduro does not have the necessary support or respect to lead the country.