The interim government of Venezuela announced last week that it would begin releasing political prisoners, prompting both hope and uncertainty among families and observers. The announcement followed the U.S. government's capture of President Nicolás Maduro and the subsequent installation of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader.

Ramón Guanipa Linares, the son of Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent opposition politician detained for eight months, traveled to Caracas upon hearing the news. Juan Pablo Guanipa was imprisoned for challenging Maduro's rule. "I wanted to be the first to hug my father," Ramón Guanipa Linares said in a phone interview from his home in Maracaibo. However, upon arriving at the prison, he found no information regarding his father's release. "They had no information about his liberation or anything like that. They were just rumors," he stated.

The amnesty announcement comes as a surprise to many Venezuelans, given Rodríguez's previous association with the Maduro regime. Her unexpected alliance with the United States has led to speculation about the future direction of the country. The policy details surrounding the amnesty remain unclear, including the number of prisoners eligible for release and the criteria for their selection.

The move is viewed by some as a potential step towards reconciliation and a return to democratic norms. Others remain skeptical, questioning the motives behind the decision and expressing concern about the potential for the amnesty to be used as a political tool. Some critics argue that the amnesty does not go far enough, failing to address the root causes of political repression in Venezuela.

The situation remains fluid, and the actual implementation of the amnesty will be closely watched in the coming days and weeks. Families of political prisoners continue to seek information about their loved ones, while political analysts debate the long-term implications of the policy shift. The interim government has yet to release a comprehensive list of prisoners who will be freed or a timeline for their release.