The State Department says Venezuela's interim leaders have taken a "step in the right direction" by releasing detained Americans. At least three US citizens were released from prisons in the country as of Tuesday night, a person briefed on the situation tells the New York Times. CNN reports at least four have been freed. US officials have previously accused Venezuelan authorities of detaining foreigners, including Americans, on murky terrorism or espionage charges to gain leverage in negotiations.
The releases come as Venezuela's interim government, now led by Delcy Rodríguez, tries to signal a break from the rule of Nicolás Maduro, toppled in a surprise US raid earlier this month. The government has vowed to release an "important number" of prisoners. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, who is Delcy Rodríguez's brother, said Tuesday that more than 400 had been freed, including politicians who violated the Constitution and individuals who "called for invasion," per Al Jazeera.
However, human rights group Foro Penal confirms only 56 releases while estimating 800 to 900 political prisoners remain behind bars. The son of a jailed politician still detained is urging the US to keep pressure on the government, per the BBC. Along with the Americans, several Italians and Spaniards were among those let go from what rights advocates describe as harsh and politically driven detention. US officials say security forces in Venezuela have arrested Americans in recent years, with some facing legitimate criminal charges and others under review as possible wrongful detentions. The Trump administration negotiated the release of dozens last year.
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