Relatives of Venezuelan prisoners wait anxiously, after news of mass release

(8 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Miranda, Venezuela – 08 January 2026
1. Various of relatives of prisoners outside the El Rodeo prison
2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Margareth Baduel, relative of political prisoner:
“We are highly expecting these releases, some have already happened, mostly at Helicoide (prison). As you can see we are waiting for our (relatives) to be released here in El Rodeo. There are more than 120 political prisoners. We are here, most are relatives, waiting for God to bless us with this good news.”
3. Relatives, some with shirts that read (Spanish) “Liberty”
4. People hugging
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pedro Duran, brother of prisoner: “
What can I say? I’m happy, just arrived in the country and got this incredible news that will finally happen, the release of these people deprived of their liberty.”
6. People waiting
7. Outside shot of the prison

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caracas, Venezuela – 08 January 2026
8. Various of police outside Venezuela's National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) headquarters
9. Various of people waiting outside the Boleita detention center
STORYLINE:
Relatives waited outside El Rodeo prison in Miranda, Venezuela after the government said it
is releasing a “significant number” of citizens and foreigners from its prisons on Thursday.

"What can I say? I’m happy, just arrived in the country and got this incredible news that will finally happen, the release of these people deprived of their liberty.” said Pedro Duran, the brother of one prisoner.

The head of the country’s legislature described this as a gesture to “seek peace” less than a week after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces to face federal drug-trafficking charges in New York.

Jorge Rodríguez, brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez and head of the National Assembly, did not specify who they would be releasing or how many people would be released. But he said the release of prisoners “is happening right now.”

The Spanish government announced Thursday the release of five Spanish citizens in Caracas. While the embassy is coordinating their return to Spain, officials have not yet specified a departure date.

The Penal Forum, a human rights organization in Venezuela, said that as of Dec. 29, 2025, there were 863 people detained in Venezuela “for political reasons.” In a post on X, director of the forum, Alfredo Romero, said the liberations were “good news” in a country that's been wracked by political turmoil in recent days.

“We will be verifying each release,” Romero wrote. “We already know of some people on their way to freedom, including foreigners.”

The release of opposition figures and critics has been a longtime demand by Venezuela's opposition and the United States government.

Despite mass detentions following the tumultuous 2024 election, Venezuela's government denies that there are “political prisoners” and accuse those detained of plotting to destabilize Maduro’s government.

“Consider this a gesture by the Bolivarian government, which is broadly intended to seek peace,” Rodríguez said in an announcement publicized over TV.

Ronal Rodríguez, a researcher at the Venezuelan Observatory at the University of Rosario in Bogotá, said the government periodically releases prisoners at politically strategic moments.

“The regime uses them (prisoners) like a bargaining chip,” he said, adding that he and other observers will be watching not just how many people the government releases, but also whether high-profile individuals are included or if they're being released under a condition of house arrest.




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