Jump to content

2026 political prisoner release in Venezuela

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

El Helicoide, facility used as detention center and headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service. According to NGOs, it has become synonymous of human-rights violations and for the detention of political prisoners. In January 2026, Delcy Rodríguez announced it will be transformed into a cultural center.[1]

In the aftermath of the 2026 United States strikes in Venezuela and capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, the remaining government in Venezuela, led by his vice president Delcy Rodríguez as acting president, announced the release of multiple Venezuelan and foreign political prisoners in Venezuela starting on 8 January. As of 5 February, 383 political prisoners have been confirmed to be released since its announcement, according to the NGO Foro Penal.[2] The Rodríguez adminstration has published numbers but it has not given specific dates and sometimes counts releases of prior years.[3] Estimates suggested there were over 800 political prisoners in Venezuela prior to 2026, according to human rights organizations. International bodies, including a United Nations Human Rights Council-mandated Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, stated that the measures fell short of Venezuela’s human rights obligations and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.[4] Those released are not completely free as the are not allowed to speak publicly and are required to appear before a judge every 30 days.[5] Human rights organizations have qualified the releases as a revolving door effect as some prisoners are released, while others are still being arrested for political reasons.[6][7]

The United States had previously requested the release of political prisoners, and President Donald Trump declared in an interview "they've been great ... Everything we've wanted, they've given us."[8] Trump announced on 9 January that he had cancelled a second wave of attacks due to cooperation and the release of political prisoners.[9] Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has called for the immediate release of all political prisoners.[3]

On 29 January, Rodríguez announced an amnesty bill covering cases dating back to 1999. She also announced the dismantling of the detention center known as El Helicoide, associated with allegations of torture, along with plans for its conversion into a sport and cultural center.[10]

Various foreign citizens from Argentina, Colombia, Italy, Israel, Spain, Peru, and United States previously detained in Venezuela have been released.[11][12]

Developments

[edit]

Announcement and first releases

[edit]
Spanish–Venezuelan activist Rocío San Miguel, detained in 2024, was amongst the first prisoners released on 8 January 2026

Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of Delcy Rodríguez and president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, announced on 8 January 2026 that an "important"[13][14] number of political prisoners would be released as a "gesture" by the government.[15] Of an estimated 800 political prisoners in Venezuela,[16][4] nine prisoners were released that day.[17] Those released included five Spanish citizens, notably Spanish–Venezuelan activist Rocío San Miguel, who was detained since February 2024,[18][8] and two Venezuelan opposition members: Enrique Márquez and Italian–Venezuelan Biagio Pilieri [es], who were detained after backing Edmundo Gónzalez's victory in the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election.[19][8]

The Venezuelan Penitentiary Services Ministry announced that they had released 116 prisoners on 12 January.[20] According to human rights organization Foro Penal, only 41 prisoners were confirmed released,[20] including three additional Italian citizens detained since 2024.[21] The United Nations Human Rights Council–mandated Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela reported that about 50 out of the estimated 800 political prisoners in Venezuela were released as of 12 January, saying it fell short on the Venezuelan government's international human rights obligations, and called for the "immediate and unconditional" release of all political prisoners.[4]

Multiple US citizens who were detained in Venezuela were released according to US State Department on 13 January.[22] In the afternoon, Foro Penal confirmed at least 56 political prisoners released, Jorge Rodríguez reported a higher number of 400 without a specific timeline.[23][24] El Nacional reported that some of the names of the prisoners out of the 400 released according to Rodríguez were from December 2025 and from 1 January 2026, before the strikes.[25]

A speech on 14 January by acting president Delcy Rodríguez focused mainly on political prisoners detained under the Maduro administration. She vowed to continue releasing prisoners, saying that the action had "not yet concluded". She still credited Maduro for starting the release of prisoners indicating that she had not broken continuity. Rodríguez announced that 406 prisoners were already released. Foro Penal could only confirm 68 prisoners released at the time.[26] On 17 January, Foro Penal had only confirmed 139 political prisoners released since 8 January.[27]

On 23 January, Foro Penal confirmed 154 political prisoners released since 8 January. The same day, Delcy Rodríguez announced 626 prisoners released without providing a specific date. She called for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, led by Volker Türk, to verify the lists.[28]

On 26 January, Foro Penal confirmed 250 prisoners released since 8 January.[29][30] On the same day, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said that 808 prisoners were released since December 2025. Donald Trump wrote in Truth Social, "I am pleased to report that Venezuela is releasing its Political Prisoners at a rapid rate, which rate will be increasing over the coming short period of time. I’d like to thank the leadership of Venezuela for agreeing to this powerful humanitarian gesture!"[31]

Amnesty bill announcements

[edit]
Javier Tarazona [es], president of NGO Fundaredes. He was arrested in 2021, and released on February 2026.

On 30 January, Delcy Rodríguez announced a general amnesty bill covering the "entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present", dating back to when Hugo Chávez first assumed his presidency.[32][10] People convicted of murder, drug trafficking, corruption or human rights violations will not qualify under the amnesty law. The measure was long requested by the US-backed Venezuelan opposition. Opposition leader María Corina Machado said that the bill was not taken "voluntarily, but rather in response to pressure from the US government". Rodríguez also announced the shutdown of El Helicoide prison, which she said would be transformed into a cultural and sport center. Independent organizations have documented many cases of torture and human rights violation in El Helicoide. Some families of the prisoners gathered outside El Helicoide chanting "Freedom!". At the same time, Foro Penal confirmed 302 releases since 8 January.[10] United States announced also that all American known political prisoners had been released.[32]

On 1 February, Javier Tarazona [es], director of Fundaredes that monitors military group actions, was released from El Helicoide.[3] He was detained in 2021.[3] On 4 February, more than a dozen prisoners were released. Foro Penal indicated that the number of detained was updated to 700, from over 800 on 8 January, as many political prisoners were previously unreported.[33]

The amnesty law was passed by the National Assembly of Venezuela unanimously on 5 February, in the first of two necessary votes to approve it. The bill draft adds to return assets of those detained and cancel Interpol warrants. The draft also specifies amnesty for those that participated in the 2007, 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2024 protests.[2] The president of the assembly, Jorge Rodríguez said that all concerned prisoners will be released by Friday 14 February.[34]

Juan Pablo Guanipa, former mayor and one of the closest allies to María Corina Machado, arrested in 2025, was released on 8 February.[35]

[edit]

For weeks, Venezuelans camped outside the El Helicoide building, where many are detained, waiting for the release of their family members.[36]

In Madrid, Spain, Venezuelans gathered in a square to demand the release of political prisoners on 10 January. [37]

In Argentina, relatives of two Argentine citizens detained in Venezuela in 2024 and 2025 requested the Holy See in the Vatican to pressure Venezuela to for their release.[38]

During a visit by Delcy Rodríguez to the Central University of Venezuela on 27 January, students demanded her to pledge for the release of professors and students imprisoned for political reasons.[39]

International response

[edit]

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni thanked Delcy Rodríguez on 12 January for the release of various Italian citizens, including businessman Mario Burlò and aid worker Alberto Trentini [es]. Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said that the relations between Italy and Venezuela would improve as result.[40]

Argentine president Javier Milei indicated on 24 January that the Argentine embassy in Caracas, besieged in 2025, will remain closed until all Argentine political prisoners held in Venezuela are released.[41]

List of cases

[edit]

Notable released prisoners

[edit]
Name Country Detention date Release date (detention period)
Rocío San Miguel Spain-Venezuela 9 February 2024[42] 8 January 2026

(1 year, 10 months and 30 days)[18]

Biagio Pilieri [es] Italy-Venezuela 28 August 2024[43] 8 January 2026 (1 year, 4 months and 11 days)[19]
Enrique Márquez Venezuela 7 January 2025[44] 8 January 2026 (1 year and 1 day)[19]
Alberto Trentini [es] Italy 15 November 2024[45] 12 January 2026 (1 year, 1 month and 28 days)[40]
Roland Carreño [es][a] Venezuela 2 August 2024[46] 14 January 2026 (1 year, 5 months and 12 days)[11]
Carlo Julio Rojas [es] Venezuela 15 April 2024[47] 14 January 2026 (1 year, 8 months and 30 days)[48]
Rafael Tudares[b] Venezuela 7 January 2025[49] 22 January 2026 (1 year and 15 days)[50]
Kennedy Tejeda [es] Venezuela 2 August 2024[51] 25 January 2026 (1 year, 5 months and 23 days)[52]
Eduardo Torres [es] Venezuela 13 May 2025[53] 30 January 2026 (9 months and 17 days)[54]
Javier Tarazona [es] Venezuela 3 July 2021[55] 1 February 2026 (4 years, 6 months and 29 days)[3]
Rory Branker [es] Venezuela 24 February 2025[56] 4 February 2026 (11 months and 11 days)[33]
Juan Pablo Guanipa[3] Venezuela 23 May 2025[57] 8 February 2026 (9 months and 16 days)[35]
Perkins Rocha [es] Venezuela 27 August 2024[58] 8 February 2026 (1 year, 5 months and 12 days)[35]
María Oropeza [es] Venezuela 6 August 2024 8 February 2026 (1 year, 6 months and 2 days)[35]
Jesús Armas [es][59] Venezuela 10 December 2024[60] 8 February 2026 (1 year, 1 month and 29 days)[61]
Luis Somaza [es][59] Venezuela 12 February 2025[62] 8 February 2026 (11 months and 27 days)[61]

Notable prisoners still in custody

[edit]
Name Country Detention date
Freddy Superlano[3] Venezuela 28 July 2024; 18 months ago (2024-07-28)[63]
Nahuel Gallo [es][64] Argentina 8 December 2024; 14 months ago (2024-12-08)[65]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Previously detained from 2020 to 2023
  2. ^ Son-in-law of opposition leader Edmundo González

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Venezuela's 'Helicoide' prison synonymous with torture of dissenters". France 24. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Venezuela amnesty law for jailed protesters passes first vote". Reuters. 5 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Venezuela releases 30 prisoners including activists, says rights group". Reuters. 1 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Venezuela: UN independent investigators call for immediate release of all political prisoners". UN News. United Nations. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  5. ^ "These Venezuela political prisoners got out of jail, but they still aren't free". France 24. 5 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  6. ^ Ellis, Catherine. "A 'revolving door' for political prisoners? Venezuelan families cry foul". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  7. ^ Moleiro, Jacobo García, Alonso (2026). "La semana que las celdas se entreabrieron en Venezuela". El País América (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 February 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ a b c Cano, Regina Garcia; Janetsky, Megan; Delacroix, Matias (8 January 2026). "Venezuela releases imprisoned opposition figures and activists, which Trump says US requested". AP News. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Trump cancels second wave of attacks on Venezuela after cooperation". Reuters. 9 January 2026. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026.
  10. ^ a b c Cano, Regina Garcia (31 January 2026). "Venezuela announces amnesty bill that could lead to mass release of political prisoners". AP News. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  11. ^ a b "Venezuelan journalist freed in prisoner release as liberations continue". Reuters. 14 January 2026.
  12. ^ español, REGINA GARCIA CANO Leer en (12 January 2026). "Families of prisoners in Venezuela wait in anguish as promised releases trickle". AP News. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Familiares siguen apostados en la Zona 7 de Boleíta en espera de más excarcelaciones" [Family members remain stationed in Zone 7 of Boleíta, awaiting further releases from prison] (in Spanish). Efecto Cocuyo. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  14. ^ "ONG denuncia que presos políticos recién excarcelados siguen bajo medidas cautelares y con juicios activos" [An NGO reports that recently released political prisoners remain under precautionary measures and still have active trials against them] (in Spanish). El Pitazo. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Venezuela announces release of 'an important number' of political prisoners". The Washington Post. 8 January 2026. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  16. ^ Garcia Cano, Regina (12 January 2026). "Families of prisoners in Venezuela wait in anguish as promised releases trickle". Associated Press. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  17. ^ "Venezuela's most prominent prisoners linked to opposition movement". Reuters. 10 January 2026. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026.
  18. ^ a b "Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist first confirmed liberation in Venezuela prisoner release". Reuters. 8 January 2026. Archived from the original on 8 January 2026.
  19. ^ a b c "Venezuela opposition members freed in prisoner release". Reuters. 9 January 2026. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Venezuela says 116 prisoners released as rights group cites lower figure". Reuters. 12 January 2026.
  21. ^ "Venezuela frees two more Italians, says Italian Prime Minister". Reuters. 12 January 2026.
  22. ^ Williams, Abigail (14 January 2026). "Multiple Americans detained in Venezuela have been released, State Department says". NBC News.
  23. ^ "Hundreds more in Venezuela say their loved ones are 'political prisoners'". AP News. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  24. ^ "Venezuela's top lawmaker says over 400 prisoners freed, NGOs say numbers much lower". Reuters. 14 January 2026.
  25. ^ "Jorge Rodríguez sobre los presos políticos: "Van más de 400 excarcelaciones y van a continuar". El Nacional (in Spanish). 13 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  26. ^ Cano, Regina Garcia (14 January 2026). "Venezuela's acting president vows to continue releasing prisoners detained under Maduro". AP News. Archived from the original on 15 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  27. ^ "Rights group says 139 political prisoners released in Venezuela since January". Reuters. 17 January 2026.
  28. ^ "Venezuela's interim president Rodriguez says 626 prisoners released". Reuters. 23 January 2026.
  29. ^ Phillips, Tom; Graterol, María de los Ángeles (26 January 2026). "'It's a farce': families of Venezuela political prisoners still await their release". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  30. ^ "Rights group leader says 104 political prisoners released in Venezuela". Reuters. 26 January 2026.
  31. ^ "Venezuela releases dozens of prisoners in 2 days, hundreds more still detained". AP News. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  32. ^ a b "Venezuela announces mass amnesty plan for political prisoners dating back to Chavez era". The Guardian. AFP. 31 January 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  33. ^ a b "Nearly two dozen more prisoners freed in Venezuela, legal rights group says". Reuters. 4 February 2026.
  34. ^ "Jailed Venezuelan protesters could all be free by next Friday, top lawmaker says". Reuters. 6 February 2026.
  35. ^ a b c d Cano, Regina Garcia (8 February 2026). "Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa freed after 8 months in prison". AP News. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  36. ^ Arraez, Juan Pablo; MEGAN JANETSKY (20 January 2026). "Families of Venezuelan prisoners demand their release after weeks of waiting outside prisons". AP News. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  37. ^ Venezuelans gather in Madrid calling for release of political prisoners. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via apnews.com.
  38. ^ Soria, Horacio Fernando (23 January 2026). "Relatives of Argentine prisoners in Venezuela ask Vatican to intervene for release". Reuters.
  39. ^ Law, Heather (28 January 2026). ‘Put your hand on your heart’: Students in Venezuela demand Rodríguez pledge to release imprisoned professors and students | CNN. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via edition.cnn.com.
  40. ^ a b "Italy to upgrade relations with Venezuela as two more Italians freed". Reuters. 12 January 2026.
  41. ^ Nacional, El (24 January 2026). "Milei no reabrirá la embajada de Argentina en Venezuela hasta que liberen a argentinos detenidos". El Nacional (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  42. ^ "Venezuela accuses detained activist of links to conspiracy plot". Reuters. 11 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Venezuela opposition says leader Pilieri arrested in Caracas after rally". Reuters. 28 August 2024.
  44. ^ albertorodriguez (8 January 2025). "Confirman detención de Enrique Márquez, excandidato presidencial y exvicepresidente del CNE". AlbertoNews - Periodismo sin censura (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  45. ^ "Venezuela frees Alberto Trentini after 423 days in detention". 12 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  46. ^ "IACHR Grants Precautionary Measures to Journalist Roland Oswaldo Carreño Gutiérrez in Venezuela". Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  47. ^ "Venezuela : des prisonniers politiques sortis de prison, mais "pas libres" pour autant". France 24 (in French). 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  48. ^ Boon, Lisseth. "The Information Networks That Connect Venezuelans in Uncertain Times". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  49. ^ France-Press, Agence (7 January 2025). "Venezuelan opposition leader says son-in-law kidnapped in Caracas". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  50. ^ "Son-in-law of Venezuelan opposition candidate freed from jail, wife says". www.bbc.com. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  51. ^ Ragozzino, Martina Rapido (30 April 2025). "Punished for Seeking Change". Human Rights Watch.
  52. ^ Singer, Florantonia (26 January 2026). "Venezuela reactivates releases and frees over 100 political prisoners". EL PAÍS English. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  53. ^ "CPJ calls on Venezuelan government to release human rights defender". Committee to Protect Journalists. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  54. ^ Jazeera, Al. "Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez announces prisoner amnesty". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  55. ^ "Venezuelan police detain head of human rights group". Reuters. 3 July 2021.
  56. ^ Frontières, Reporters Sans (25 February 2025). "Venezuela: journalist Rory Branker arrested as vehement repression of the press continues". Reporters Sans Frontières. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  57. ^ "Venezuela opposition leader Guanipa under arrest". Reuters. 23 May 2025.
  58. ^ "Venezuelan opposition lawyer Perkins Rocha detained, movement say". Reuters. 27 August 2024.
  59. ^ a b "Venezuela: ¿Quiénes son los presos políticos que aún no han sido liberados?". RFI. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  60. ^ "Venezuela: Brutal Crackdown Since Elections | Human Rights Watch". 30 April 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  61. ^ a b Nacional, El (8 February 2026). "Excarcelados Perkins Rocha, Jesús Armas y Luis Tarbay". EL NACIONAL (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  62. ^ "Venezuela: Political Prisoners Cut Off from the World | Human Rights Watch". 22 September 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  63. ^ "Maduro Regime Rounds Up Hundreds in Post-Election Crackdown". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  64. ^ Nacional, El (17 January 2026). "Milei exige la liberación de Nahuel Gallo y de todos los presos políticos en Venezuela". EL NACIONAL (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  65. ^ "Argentina 'working to bring' security officer detained in Venezuela home". Buenos Aires Times. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2026_political_prisoner_release_in_Venezuela&oldid=1337343977"