Caracas – More than 100 political prisoners were freed Sunday in Venezuela, where detainees are slowly being released under pressure from the United States, the non-governmental organization Foro Penal said.
Director Alfredo Romero said on X that the group was verifying the identities of those released from jails nationwide.
Foro Penal attorney Gonzalo Himiob said the initial releases had taken place in the early hours of the day.
“This figure is not yet definitive and could increase as we proceed with verifications,” he said, also on X.
Venezuelans are celebrating in the streets the release of hundreds of political prisoners, thanks to President Trump.
Hundreds of hostages of the Chavista dictatorship still remain imprisoned, but many families have already been reunited with their loved ones.
We want them… pic.twitter.com/tuLxU7hnHq
— Emmanuel Rincón (@EmmaRincon) January 26, 2026
The government of Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, who took power after leftist president Nicolas Maduro was captured by US special forces early this month, has promised to release a “large number” of the hundreds of Maduro opponents languishing in prison.
In an address Sunday to oil worker’s in Venezuela’s eastern state of Anzoategui, Rodriguez struck a confident tone.
“Enough orders from Washington on politicians in Venezuela. Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and internal conflicts. Enough of foreign powers,” Rodriguez said.
“It has cost this republic dearly to have to face the consequences of fascism, of extremism in our country.”
Authorities in Caracas say they have freed 626 detainees since December, but Foro Penal has only recorded about half as many releases in that time.
Venezuela’s political opposition and human rights groups have criticized the slow unfolding of the process.
Loved ones of detainees have been camped out outside prisons waiting for their release.
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Source: AFP
