Media: Venezuela frees opposition figures, foreign detainees after Maduro ouster

Venezuela on January 8 released a number of imprisoned high-profile opposition figures, activists and journalists — both citizens and foreigners — in what the government described as a gesture to “seek peace,” less than a week after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces to face drug-trafficking charges.

US President Donald Trump, who has been pressuring Maduro’s allies now leading the country to accept his vision for the future of the oil-rich nation, said the releases came at the request of the United States, Caliber.Az reports via AP.

Speaking in an interview on Fox News on the night of January 8, Trump praised the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, saying: “they’ve been great. ... Everything we’ve wanted, they’ve given us.”

Jorge Rodríguez, the acting president’s brother and head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said a “significant number” of people would be freed, but as of late Thursday night, January 8, it was still not clear who or how many people would be released.

The US government and Venezuela’s opposition have long demanded the widespread release of imprisoned politicians, critics and members of civil society. The Venezuelan government insists it does not hold prisoners for political reasons.

Venezuela’s government has a history of releasing people imprisoned for political reasons during moments of high tension to signal openness to dialogue. The releases on January 8 were the first since Maduro was deposed.

By Sabina Mammadli