CARACAS, Venezuela — In a significant development following the ouster of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan authorities have commenced a substantial prisoner release initiative. Parliament Speaker Jorge Rodriguez announced on Thursday that the government is executing the immediate liberation of a “large number” of detainees, comprising both Venezuelan citizens and foreign nationals.
This action, described by Rodriguez as a “unilateral gesture,” marks the first observable concession from Venezuela’s interim government since U.S. forces removed Maduro from power five days prior. The former leader was apprehended by American forces and transported to New York to stand trial, prompting the Trump administration to declare itself “in charge” of Venezuelan affairs.
While Rodriguez declined to specify the exact number of prisoners being freed, independent monitoring provides context to the scale of detention. The non-governmental organization Foro Penal documents 806 individuals currently held as political prisoners in Venezuela, including 175 military personnel affected by the nation’s political turmoil.
The prisoner release coincides with claims from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated on Tuesday that Venezuelan authorities were dismantling a “torture chamber located in central Caracas.” The President provided no additional details regarding this alleged facility, leaving international observers to speculate about its nature and operations.
This coordinated prisoner release represents a tangible policy shift following the dramatic change in Venezuela’s leadership, suggesting potential moves toward reconciliation and judicial reform in the post-Maduro era.