Venezuela begins releasing political prisoners under interim administration

BOGOTA, Colombia

Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the National Assembly, announced Thursday that Venezuela has started the process of freeing individuals held on political grounds, including international detainees.

The discharges represent the initial actions of Delcy Rodriguez’s interim administration. She assumed temporary control of the nation following a Jan. 3 military operation by the US that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were taken to face justice in the US.

Jorge Rodriguez explained that the administration opted to grant freedom to a "substantial" group of local and foreign detainees. He noted that the move was intended to support a broader initiative for "national reconciliation."

"The Bolivarian administration has resolved to discharge a large number of Venezuelan and international prisoners, with these releases currently underway," Rodriguez said in a national video address aired on the state-operated network TeleSur.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares verified that five Spanish nationals, one of whom holds dual citizenship, had been liberated. The group is coordinating with the Spanish Embassy in Caracas to finalize their return to Spain.

"The Spanish administration celebrates the release of five Spaniards in Caracas today, including one dual national, who are now readying for their trip home with diplomatic support," it said.

The foreign minister clarified that the identities of the individuals have been established. Among those freed are Miguel Moreno Dapena, Andres Martinez Adasme, Jose Maria Basoa and Ernesto Gorbe Cardona. Reports indicate that the group of freed individuals also includes Spanish-Venezuelan activist Rocio San Miguel.

It is anticipated that the liberation process will persist through Friday. The administration has not provided a list confirming the identities of all those liberated.

According to the latest report from the NGO Foro Penal, there are 863 political prisoners in the country, including 86 foreign nationals or individuals with dual citizenship. The Venezuelan government's position is that they are incarcerated for the "commission of terrible punishable acts."