Venezuela Releases 131 Political Prisoners Amid Reconciliation Efforts

Venezuelan authorities announced the release of 131 individuals detained for political reasons, according to non-governmental organizations. The U.S. government described this as a move toward national reconciliation.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Communication and Information stated on social media that the releases were approved by the country’s courts at the request of the Public Ministry. This followed a request from the government-backed Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, established by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, to review these cases.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on social media platform X that the release of more than 130 political prisoners is crucial for Venezuela’s reconciliation process. Since January 3, 1,046 Venezuelans have been freed. Rubio emphasized that as the three-phase plan progresses, the U.S. continues to closely monitor the direct talks with interim authorities led by Venezuela.

Washington has repeatedly stated its support for a three-phase plan initiated by President Donald Trump to stabilize Venezuela after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier in the year. This plan includes economic recovery, political reconciliation, and a peaceful transition in the country.

An amnesty law was enacted on February 19, following its introduction by interim President Rodríguez with the aim of achieving national harmony. Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president on January 5, two days after a decisive U.S. military operation deposed and captured Maduro in Caracas, transferring him to New York on drug trafficking charges.

The releases are part of the Amnesty Law, which was designed to allow the mass release of opposition leaders, union members, journalists, students, protesters, and human rights activists detained for political reasons. The Venezuelan government denies the existence of “political prisoners” and accuses the detainees of conspiring to destabilize the administrations of the late President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) and his successor Maduro (2013-2026).

According to Foro Penal, a respected civil organization monitoring the rights of detainees in Venezuela, 391 individuals remained detained for political motives as of August 10.