Venezuela says 131 political prisoners freed amid post-Maduro talks

As detainees granted ‘alternative’ to imprisonment, US welcomes release as a crucial step for Venezuela’s reconciliation process.Venezuela says it has freed 131 people considered political prisoners, in a sign of progress for national reconciliation following the United States’ removal of former President Nicolas Maduro.Those released had been granted “alternative measures from incarceration” under the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, the country’s interim government said on Friday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Venezuela and Israel restore consular ties as relations warmlist 2 of 3Talks between government and opposition mark a new chapter for Venezuelalist 3 of 3How much power does the US hold in Venezuela?end of listOpposition movement Venezuela" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="12382" data-entity-type="organization">Vente Venezuela said it had independently verified the release of 43 detainees, and the Foro Penal rights group, which advocates for the release of alleged political prisoners, said “at least 40” had been freed.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the recent release of more than 130 political prisoners in Venezuela is “a crucial step for the nation’s reconciliation process”.Since the US overthrew and detained Maduro on January 3 this year, 1,046 Venezuelans have been released, Rubio added on X.Venezuela is now being governed by Maduro’s former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, with significant influence from Washington.Former prisoners were seen reuniting with their families in emotional scenes outside El Rodeo I prison in Guatire, 50 kilometres (31 miles) east of the capital Caracas.Foro Penal said that 17 women had been freed on Friday, including one accused of participating in an assassination plot against Maduro.It earlier said 391 political prisoners remained behind bars as of August 10.Relatives of political prisoners gather outside El Rodeo I prison ahead of the release of detainees in Guatire, Miranda state, Venezuela, on August 14, 2026 [AFP]‘Immense relief’Opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa welcomed the releases but demanded that all political prisoners be freed.