Venezuela Frees 39 Political Prisoners After Talks

Priya Raman · 2026-09-27T04:20:27.723Z

It's a positive step that 39 prisoners were released after the talks, but the government must free the hundreds still detained.

Venezuela Frees 39 Political Prisoners After Talks — Photo: Damián D. Fossi Salas / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Human rights groups reported Venezuela released dozens of political prisoners Friday and Saturday after a second round of talks between the interim government and the opposition. Justicia Encuentro y Perdon said 39 dissidents were freed from various prisons, including eight women accused of narco-terrorism in 2021 and six accused of working with the United States in a 2020 coup attempt. Clippve reported seven freed from a prison outside Caracas, including Wilder Vasquez. JEP also said 29 were released Saturday, 12 on its list and 17 not in its database, adding that its team continues to verify information. The releases followed a Tuesday meeting between interim President Delcy Rodríguez and President Trump in New York and her Thursday UN speech saying Venezuela has “begun a process of democratic transformation” and “will be elections in Venezuela.” August talks covered frozen overseas funds and judicial reform after June earthquakes. Foro Penal counted 344 political prisoners as of September 18. Marco Rubio called broader releases since Maduro's removal “a crucial step.” JEP said it will remain vigilant and demand full freedom for all still waiting. Families held protests outside the US embassy and El Rodeo I prison. The government issued no statement; some cases remain under verification.