Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly and negotiator for the Venezuelan government, has claimed that more than 400 political prisoners have been released. Non-governmental organisations have contradicted this statement, indicating that a significant number of releases are not taking place and that the process is characterised by delays. In a Parliament meeting, Rodríguez declared that more than 400 people have been released, starting with 160 releases in December. Hours later, he clarified that he was referring to the releases announced by Maduro’s regime at the end of 2024, describing them as a unilateral gesture from the government. Aiming to promote peace and national unity, the government has begun a process of releasing prisoners. So far, more than 400 individuals have been released, with the first 160 on 23 December 2024. According to the data provided by Rodríguez and the Venezuelan government, 160 individuals were released in December 2024; 99 during Christmas 2025; 88 on New Year’s 2025; and 116 who were announced this Monday. This means that since December 2024, 463 prisoners have been freed and since December 2025, 303. The legislator stated that the releases will continue to be part of a unilateral gesture from the government of his sister, Delcy Rodríguez, who took office as interim president following the arrest of the leader, Nicolás Maduro, by the United States.
