Venezuela says 131 political prisoners freed amid post-Maduro talks | Politics News
Venezuela Releases 131 Political Prisoners, Marking Progress in National Reconciliation
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Published August 15, 2026
Venezuelan authorities announced the release of 131 individuals classified as political prisoners, a development viewed as significant for the nation’s reconciliation efforts following the ousting of former President Nicolás Maduro. The interim government stated that the detainees had received “alternative measures from incarceration” through its Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence.
Opposition movement Vente Venezuela confirmed the release of 43 detainees, while the rights organization Foro Penal reported that “at least 40” individuals had been freed. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the release as “a crucial step for the nation’s reconciliation process,” noting that since Maduro’s overthrow on January 3, a total of 1,046 Venezuelans have been released.
Currently, Venezuela is led by Maduro’s former deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, who operates with considerable influence from the United States. Emotional scenes unfolded outside El Rodeo I prison in Guatire, about 50 kilometers east of Caracas, as former prisoners reunited with their families.
Foro Penal specified that among those released on Friday were 17 women, including one who had been accused of participating in a plot to assassinate Maduro. As of August 10, the organization stated that 391 political prisoners remain incarcerated.
Juan Pablo Guanipa, an opposition leader, expressed gratitude for the releases but insisted that all political prisoners must be set free. “Each person returning home is an immense relief for families who have suffered too much,” Guanipa remarked on social media, adding that the release of a limited number of prisoners is insufficient. He called for the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners and emphasized the necessity to put an end to torture practices in Venezuela.
The first round of U.S.-brokered negotiations between the Venezuelan government and opposition concluded last week. A joint statement from both parties indicated an agreement to pursue the retrieval of frozen international funds to assist with recovery efforts following the devastating June earthquakes that claimed over 6,300 lives, as well as to reform Venezuela’s judiciary. However, the matter of political prisoners was not addressed in the statement.
The discussions are being led by Dinorah Figuera and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez. Figuera has committed to advocating for the release of additional political prisoners throughout the ongoing negotiations.
Amid ongoing discussions, many Venezuelans express hope that these negotiations will pave the way for democratic elections, particularly in light of opposition claims that Maduro’s victories in the 2018 and 2024 elections were fraudulent—a sentiment echoed by numerous foreign governments.
