Trump praises Venezuela’s “Accelerated” Release of Political Prisoners Amid Transparency Concerns
Venezuela is reportedly releasing political prisoners at a faster rate, a advancement lauded by former U.S.President Donald Trump as an “important humanitarian gesture.” Though, self-reliant organizations and families of those detained are casting doubt on the official figures, raising concerns about the transparency of the process.
Trump announced his assessment on his Truth Social network on Monday, expressing hope that the current pace of releases will continue to increase in the coming weeks. “I am pleased to report that Venezuela is releasing its political prisoners at an accelerated pace, and this pace is expected to increase in the coming weeks,” he wrote, thanking the regime of President Nicolás Maduro – referred to as “Chavismo” – for what he deemed a positive step.
The former president’s statement coincided with an announcement from Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who claimed that over 800 individuals had been released. However, these claims are being met with skepticism from human rights groups on the ground.
The NGO Criminal Forum, a leading organization monitoring the situation of political prisoners in Venezuela, has found discrepancies between the official numbers and its own data. According to Gonzalo himiob, the organization’s vice president, they have only been able to verify 383 releases as December, and just 266 since the announcement of a “great release” on January 8. “It doesn’t match any of the figures we’ve been recording,” Himiob stated, adding that numerous relatives are still camped outside detention centers, lacking data about their loved ones’ fates.
These concerns are echoed by other NGOs, who report that hundreds of opponents and protesters – including political leaders, students, and activists – remain imprisoned following detentions during protests and repression. The Delcy Rodríguez regime has also been criticized for refusing to provide official lists of those released and for denying independent verification of the process. Cabello dismissed these questions, asserting, “we do not have to consult” NGOs regarding the management of the releases.
The release process is unfolding against a backdrop of international pressure and ongoing negotiations between the Maduro government and Washington. recent agreements have been signed to facilitate access to Venezuelan oil, with the Maduro administration reiterating its commitment to “stabilization.” However, the progress on prisoner releases has been uneven, and families continue to report a lack of transparency and arbitrary decision-making.
International organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for greater transparency and guarantees to ensure the releases are not used as a political tool or for propaganda purposes. These groups highlight that many of those released were initially detained without due process,and that the releases have not been accompanied by broader judicial reforms or assurances of non-repetition.
The situation in Venezuela remains under international scrutiny, with human r
Here’s a substantive news report answering the “Why,Who,What,and How” questions:
What: Venezuela is undertaking a release of political prisoners,with the Maduro regime claiming over 800 have been freed.though, independent organizations dispute these numbers, verifying significantly fewer releases (around 383 as December, 266 since January 8).
Who: Key players include: Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who praised the releases; Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado cabello, who announced the high release numbers; the Maduro regime (referred to as “Chavismo”); the NGO Criminal Forum (Gonzalo Himiob, VP); Amnesty
