U.S. President Donald Trump stated Monday that Venezuela is releasing political prisoners at an “accelerated rate,” and expressed gratitude to the regime of Delcy Rodríguez for what he termed an “important humanitarian gesture.” However, independent organizations and families of those detained are questioning the transparency of the process, asserting that the officially reported number of releases is significantly higher than the reality on the ground.
Venezuela’s Prisoner Releases: A Complex Picture
In a message posted on his Truth Social network, Trump celebrated the progress of the prisoner releases and indicated he anticipates an increased pace in the coming weeks. “I am pleased to report that Venezuela is releasing its political prisoners at an accelerated rate, and this pace is expected to increase in the coming weeks,” he wrote. He thanked the Venezuelan government for “accessing this important humanitarian gesture.”
Trump’s statement coincided with an announcement from Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who claimed that over 800 individuals had been released. However, these figures are being challenged by human rights groups.
The NGO Foro Penal, a leading organization tracking political prisoners in Venezuela, reports discrepancies between official numbers and their own findings. According to Gonzalo Himiob, the organization’s vice president, they have only been able to verify 383 releases since December, and a mere 266 since the announcement of a “large release” on January 8th. “It does not coincide with any of the figures we have been recording,” Himiob stated, adding that dozens of families remain camped outside detention centers awaiting information about their loved ones.
Foro Penal and other NGOs maintain that hundreds of opposition members and protestors remain imprisoned, including political leaders, students, activists, and citizens detained during protests and crackdowns. They also point to the Venezuelan government’s refusal to provide official lists or allow independent verification of the releases.
Cabello dismissed these concerns, stating that “we do not have to consult” with NGOs regarding the management of released prisoners. The process of releases is unfolding amid international pressure and negotiations between the Venezuelan government and Washington. Since assuming power, Delcy Rodríguez has signed agreements with the United States to facilitate access to Venezuelan oil and reiterated a commitment to “stabilizing” the country. However, the release of political prisoners has progressed unevenly, and many families report continued opacity and arbitrariness in the process.
International organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch continue to express concern about the human rights situation in Venezuela. They have called for transparency and guarantees to ensure the releases are not used as a political bargaining chip or for propaganda purposes. These groups state that many of those released had been detained without due process, and the releases have not been accompanied by judicial reforms or guarantees of non-repetition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Donald Trump say about Venezuela?
Donald Trump stated that Venezuela is releasing political prisoners at an “accelerated rate” and thanked the regime of Delcy Rodríguez for what he called an “important humanitarian gesture.”
How do independent organizations view the reported number of releases?
Independent organizations, such as Foro Penal, question the accuracy of the official numbers, reporting significantly lower verified release counts. Foro Penal has verified 383 releases since December and 266 since January 8th.
What concerns have been raised about the release process?
Concerns include a lack of transparency, the refusal of the Venezuelan government to provide official lists of those released, and reports of continued arbitrary detention of opposition members and activists.
The future of the release process will be a key factor in Venezuela’s political future and the normalization of relations with the international community. For now, the gap between official data and independent reports keeps the focus on the situation of political prisoners and the need for transparent and credible verification of each case.
What impact will these releases have on the broader political landscape in Venezuela?
