Venezuela Frees Political Prisoners In Move Praised By Trump

In a dramatic turn of events, Venezuela has begun the release of a "large number" of political prisoners. This move follows the recent ouster of long-time ruler Nicolás Maduro and the installation of a new administration led by Delcy Rodríguez. The releases include both Venezuelan citizens and several foreigners who had been held for months, or even years, under the previous regime.

The news was greeted with cautious optimism in Caracas, where families gathered outside the infamous El Helicoide prison, hoping to see their loved ones. Jorge Rodríguez, the head of the National Assembly, characterized the releases as a "unilateral gesture" aimed at consolidating peace. It marks a significant departure from the hardline tactics of the Maduro era and signals a desire to reconnect with the international community.

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President Trump was quick to praise the development on social media, calling it a "very important and smart gesture." Since Maduro’s removal, the Trump administration has been working closely with the new Venezuelan leadership. Trump noted that because of this cooperation, he has canceled a planned second wave of military strikes against the country, showing that diplomacy backed by the threat of force is yielding results.

​The White House has made it clear that these releases are a direct result of "maximum leverage" applied by the United States. For Washington, access to Venezuelan oil remains a high priority, and the release of prisoners is seen as a necessary step toward normalizing relations. Trump’s "peace through strength" approach appears to be finding a foothold in South America.

Despite the joy of the releases, human rights activists remain vigilant. They are calling for the freedom of all political prisoners, not just a selected group. There are concerns that some of those freed may still face travel bans or legal restrictions, making their liberty "conditional" rather than absolute.