The Venezuelan government has begun freeing detainees widely regarded by human rights groups as political prisoners, describing the move as a gesture of goodwill.
Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that five of its nationals were among those released, including prominent Venezuelan-Spanish activist Rocío San Miguel. Her family told U.S. media she was transferred to the Spanish embassy in Caracas.
The releases follow the dramatic U.S. operation last Saturday in which President Nicolás Maduro was seized in Caracas and flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Washington has long demanded the release of political prisoners, particularly during periods of heightened repression around elections and protests.
Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, announced on state television that “a significant number” of detainees would be freed immediately, though he did not specify names or figures. Human rights groups estimate hundreds remain behind bars, with only a handful released so far. He framed the decision as a step toward “national unity and peaceful coexistence.”
Rocío San Miguel’s Case
San Miguel, a defense expert and outspoken critic of Maduro, was arrested in 2024 on charges of treason, conspiracy, and terrorism, accused of involvement in a plot to assassinate the president. Her detention, which left her whereabouts unknown for months, was denounced by the UN Human Rights Office as a possible enforced disappearance.
El Helicoide Prison
Attention has also turned to El Helicoide, Venezuela’s most notorious detention center, where 50–80 prisoners are believed to be held. The facility has long been associated with torture and abuse. U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to close it following Maduro’s capture, calling it a symbol of repression. Rights group Provea cautioned that shutting El Helicoide should not distract from other detention sites still operating across the country.
Opposition Response
Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, whose allies remain imprisoned, has repeatedly demanded releases. In a Fox News interview, Trump said Machado is expected to visit the U.S. soon. Earlier, she told host Sean Hannity she intended to offer Trump her Nobel Prize, to which he replied, “that would be a great honour.”
Human rights organizations in Venezuela welcomed the releases cautiously, noting that detentions have long been used to silence dissent. Since the disputed 2024 election, activists say prosecutions of journalists and opposition figures have intensified. Attorney General Tarek Saab and other officials continue to deny the existence of political prisoners, insisting those jailed face legitimate criminal charges.
