Venezuela announces release of prisoners in gesture of peace

The Venezuelan government began this Thursday (9) the release of prisoners held in two of the country’s best-known prisons, in a unilateral gesture presented as a sign of good faith and the search for peace. The announcement was made by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and brother of interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, a few days after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States.

Rodríguez highlighted that the decision was taken without prior agreements with other political or external parties and is already underway. According to the official announcement, the measure covers both Venezuelan citizens and foreigners detained in the country’s prisons. The government did not specify the total number of those released or their names, but confirmed that the release process has already begun.

Without providing total numbers, Rodríguez stated that an “important number” of people will be released, including Venezuelans and foreigners. As of this Friday (9), at least eight releases had been confirmed.

Call for peaceful coexistence
When announcing the measure, Rodríguez classified the decision as a contribution from the “Bolivarian government” so that the country can continue to live in peace and seek prosperity. According to him, the gesture was adopted without compensation and with “sincere intentions” of national pacification, at a time of strong political and social instability.

Jorge Rodríguez stressed that this step does not respond to dialogues with extremist sectors, but to an effort to communicate with political organizations that act in strict compliance with the Bolivarian Constitution.

Rodríguez stated that the release is part of a broader strategy to consolidate national unity in the face of internal tensions and external pressures, reinforcing the search for stability and peace in the country, regardless of the political, social or religious inclinations of those involved.

The initiative occurs while sectors of the government intensify security actions, which indicates caution about the extent of political openness.

Who are the first freed
Among the released prisoners is Rocío San Miguel, detained in February 2024. A Venezuelan and Spanish citizen, she is part of the group of five Spaniards released in this first stage, as confirmed by the Spanish government.

Also released were Enrique Márquez, former presidential candidate, and Biagio Pilieri, an opposition leader, arrested for inciting sabotage against the State.

Expectation
Relatives of prisoners gathered in front of detention centers such as El Helicoide and Rodeo prison, in Caracas, awaiting new releases.

Analysts remember that, in recent years, the Venezuelan government announced specific releases, although there were new arrests later. Still, the measure was received as a positive sign amid a scenario marked by tensions, uncertainties and disputes over the country’s political future.

At the end of his speech, deputy Jorge Rodríguez expressed his gratitude to the international community and the figures who mediated the country’s search for stability. In his speech, he highlighted the work of former Spanish president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Government of Qatar.