Ramón Guanipa, son of jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump against trusting the Venezuelan government's pledge to release political prisoners, citing a discrepancy between the promise and the actual number of releases. Guanipa stated that Trump might be unaware that only approximately 40 out of over 800 political prisoners had been confirmed released, despite the government's announcement of a "goodwill gesture" on Thursday.
Trump had publicly thanked Venezuelan authorities on Saturday, acknowledging that they had "started the process, in a BIG WAY." However, Guanipa's statement casts doubt on the extent of the releases. The Venezuelan government's announcement followed the U.S. seizure of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on January 3, who was then taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
Jorge Rodríguez, Venezuela's National Assembly leader and brother of Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, had announced the intended release of detainees considered political prisoners by human rights groups. The releases were framed as a gesture of goodwill.
The situation highlights the complex political landscape in Venezuela and the role of international actors, particularly the United States. The U.S. government's involvement, including the arrest of Maduro, has further strained relations between the two countries. The release of political prisoners has long been a demand of the international community and opposition groups within Venezuela. The actual number of political prisoners in Venezuela is a contested figure, with human rights organizations claiming a significantly higher number than the government acknowledges. The releases are being closely monitored by international observers, who are assessing the sincerity and scope of the Venezuelan government's actions.
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