Venezuelans waited anxiously on Sunday for more political prisoners to be freed, as ousted president Nicolás Maduro insisted from his US jail cell that he was “doing well” following his capture by American forces a week earlier. His detention along with that of his wife, Cilia Flores during a dramatic January 3 raid has sent shockwaves through the country, where political uncertainty continues to deepen.
Interim president Delcy Rodríguez’s government began releasing detainees on Thursday in what it described as a gesture of openness after agreeing to cooperate with Washington on its demands for Venezuelan oil. Officials claimed a “large” number of prisoners would be freed, but rights groups and opposition leaders say only around twenty have been released so far, including several well‑known opposition figures.
Human rights organisations estimate that between 800 and 1,200 political prisoners remain behind bars across Venezuela.
Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, said Caracas would pursue “the diplomatic route” with Washington. Her comments followed President Donald Trump’s declaration that the United States was now “in charge” of Venezuela.
Trump later wrote on Truth Social:
“Venezuela has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners. Thank you!”
He added that he hoped freed detainees would “remember how lucky they got that the USA came along and did what had to be done.”
Growing Anxiety Over Prisoner WelfareConcerns intensified on Sunday after the state prosecution service confirmed the death of a detained police officer, Edison José Torres Fernández, 52, who had been accused of “treason.” Officials said he died from a stroke and heart attack, but opposition groups claim he had shared messages critical of Maduro’s government.
Justice First, a party within the opposition alliance, said on X:
“We directly hold the regime of Delcy Rodríguez responsible for this death.”
Families of detainees held candlelight vigils Saturday night outside El Rodeo prison east of Caracas and El Helicoide, the notorious intelligence‑run detention center. Many held signs bearing the names of their imprisoned relatives, demanding transparency and immediate releases.
Among those still detained is Freddy Superlano, a close ally of opposition leader María Corina Machado. He was arrested after challenging Maduro’s heavily disputed 2024 re‑election.
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