Announcement and first releases ,
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" number of political prisoners would be released as a "gesture" by the government. Of an estimated 800 political prisoners in Venezuela, Those released included five Spanish citizens, notably Spanish–Venezuelan activist
Rocío San Miguel, who was
detained since February 2024, According to human rights organization
Foro Penal, only 41 prisoners were confirmed released, Multiple US citizens who were detained in Venezuela were released according to US State Department on 13 January. In the afternoon, Foro Penal confirmed at least 56 political prisoners released,
Jorge Rodríguez reported a higher number of 400 without a specific timeline. 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. 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. On 17 January, Foro Penal had only confirmed 139 political prisoners released since 8 January. 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. A UNHCR spokesperson said that they were sending a team, and "offered our support to help Venezuela work on a roadmap for dialogue and reconciliation." On 26 January, Foro Penal confirmed 250 prisoners released since 8 January. 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!"
Amnesty bill and release of key opposition members , Venezuelan lawyer and politician, important ally of
Maria Corina Machado. He was arrested in 2025, released on 8 February 2026, and was quickly detained afterwards and put under house arrest. He was released on 19 February after the passing of the amnesty bill. United States announced also that all American known political prisoners had been released. 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
2002 Venezuelan coup attempt, and in
2002–2003,
2004,
2007,
2009,
2013,
2014,
2015,
2017,
2019, 2023,
2024 and 2025 protests. Jorge Rodríguez also visited the outside of prison centers to reaffirm family members of the upcoming releases. Later, family members of the prisoners reported frustration that the promise did not hold.
Juan Pablo Guanipa, former mayor and one of the closest allies to María Corina Machado, arrested in 2025, was released on 8 February. Other close allies of Machado released that day included lawyer and politician
Freddy Superlano were released to house arrest. Opposition leader
Edmundo González requested proof of life of Guanipa, indicating that missing information about his whereabouts "constitutes a forced disappearance." Political party
Justice First wrote on social media "We hold Delcy Rodríguez, Jorge Rodríguez, and Diosdado Cabello responsible for any harm to Juan Pablo's life." On 10 February, Guanipa's son confirmed that Guanipa was in Maracaibo under house arrest. On 19 February, the amnesty bill was approved by a second vote in the National Assembly. It also does not return assets of those detained, revoke public office bans given for political reasons or cancel sanctions against media outlets, as in a previous draft. Juan Pablo Guanipa was released from house arrest hours later. On 23 February, ruling-party deputy
Jorge Arreaza said that 177 releases have taken place under the amnesty law and "2,021 people who were under presentation restrictions have been given full liberations." About 91 prisoners were confirmed released under the amnesty law by 24 February by Foro Penal. Trump also celebrated the release of prisoners, saying "since the raid we have worked with the new leadership and they have ordered the closure of that vile prison and released hundreds of political prisoners already, with more to come." By 8 March, 621 prisoners were released since 8 January. Lawyer and ally of María Corina Machado, released to house arrest in February, reported on 14 March that his amnestry was denied. In April, Venezuelan government granted "alternative measures to deprivation of liberty for a group of individuals who were being held in detention, for their alleged or proven involvement in the commission of crimes provided for under the Venezuelan legal framework" to 51 people. By this date, Foro Penal reported that 485 political prisoners remain jailed. == Protests and vigils outside prisons ==