US Detainees Released, Political Prisoner Debate Flares

Venezuela’s interim government has released at least 4 American citizens who had been imprisoned in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move marks the first known release of US detainees since the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro and the establishment of an interim administration led by Delcy Rodríguez.

A US State Department spokesperson welcomed the development, calling it “an important step in the right direction” by the interim authorities. A State Department team traveled to Venezuela to assist with the release, according to a senior US official.

CNN had previously reported that at least five Americans were detained in Venezuela in recent months, part of what US officials described as a longstanding practice under the Maduro government of holding US citizens for political leverage.

Prisoner Releases Expand Amid Political Pressure

The release of the Americans comes as Venezuela’s interim government has begun freeing detainees held during years of political unrest. Last week, authorities released several high-profile prisoners, including opposition figures, describing the move as a gesture aimed at promoting national reconciliation.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Venezuela had “started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners,” adding that US pressure had played a decisive role.

The Trump administration has repeatedly called for the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela, making it a central demand of its engagement with the interim government.

Conflicting Claims Over Numbers

However, significant discrepancies remain over the scope of the releases. Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, told lawmakers on Tuesday that more than 400 prisoners had been freed, insisting they were not political prisoners but individuals who had violated the constitution or called for foreign intervention.

Rights organizations strongly dispute that figure. The human rights group Penal Forum said that as of Monday evening, only 56 detainees had been released, while other groups estimate that between 60 and 70 prisoners have been freed in recent days.

Human rights advocates estimate that 800 to 1,200 people remain arbitrarily detained for political reasons, with hundreds of families still waiting for information about their loved ones.

Uncertainty and International Scrutiny

Venezuela’s Ministry of Penitentiary Services said at least 116 prisoners were released on Monday alone, adding to confusion over the true scale and pace of the process.

While US officials confirmed that American citizens were among those freed, Washington continues to monitor developments closely, stressing that further releases are necessary to demonstrate a genuine commitment to political reform and reconciliation.