Venezuela's government began releasing political prisoners from two prominent prisons on Thursday, marking the first such action by the new administration following the United States' capture of President Nicolás Maduro on Sunday. Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela's National Assembly, announced the releases, stating that a significant number of both Venezuelan and foreign nationals would be freed.

Rodríguez, also the brother of Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, framed the move as a gesture of peace. "Consider this gesture from the Bolivarian Government made with sincere intentions toward peace as the contribution we all must make so that our republic can continue living peacefully and striving for prosperity," he said.

Among the first confirmed releases was Rocío San Miguel, a prominent Venezuelan security expert who was detained in February 2024 after investigating the government. San Miguel, a dual Venezuelan-Spanish citizen, was reportedly one of five Spanish citizens released on Thursday, according to the Spanish government.

The releases come at a critical juncture for Venezuela, a nation grappling with a complex political and economic crisis. Maduro's government had faced widespread international condemnation for its human rights record, including the detention of political opponents and activists. The United States, along with numerous other countries, had imposed sanctions on Venezuela in response to concerns about democratic backsliding and corruption. The capture of Maduro by the U.S. represents a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

The term "political prisoner" in Venezuela is often applied to individuals detained for expressing dissent or challenging the government. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented numerous cases of arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, and harsh prison conditions for those perceived as opponents of the ruling party. The releases could signal a potential shift towards greater political openness under the interim leadership.

The international community is closely watching developments in Venezuela, with many hoping for a peaceful transition and a return to democratic norms. The release of political prisoners is seen by some as a positive first step, but skepticism remains given the country's history of political repression. The specifics of the released prisoners, and the extent of future releases, will be crucial indicators of the new administration's commitment to change.