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// DOSSIER — venezuela-releases-political-prisoners-transition-talks
Venezuela Releases 39 Political Prisoners Amid Post-Maduro Transition Talks
REL_TIME: 29 Sep 2026 09:12Z · LANG: EN
Following a second round of US-backed negotiations between the interim government of Delcy Rodriguez and the opposition, 39 political prisoners were released in Venezuela on September 25-26, 2026. This move follows the January 2026 military removal of Nicolas Maduro and subsequent diplomatic pressure from Washington. While the releases include high-profile detainees and those accused of past coup attempts, human rights groups like Foro Penal note that over 300 political prisoners remain in custody. The talks have also led to the formation of a committee for judicial reform, though the opposition maintains that partial releases do not address the structural issues of arbitrary detention.
// Background
Following the US military removal of Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, his former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed the interim presidency. Under significant pressure from Washington, she enacted an amnesty law in February. The country is also grappling with the aftermath of June 2026 earthquakes that killed over 6,300 people, which served as a catalyst for initial talks regarding the recovery of frozen overseas funds to aid national recovery.
// Key Developments
- Release of 39 dissidents, including individuals accused of narco-terrorism and involvement in the 2020 coup attempt.
- Negotiations led by Jorge Rodriguez for the government and Dinorah Figuera for the opposition with US oversight.
- Interim President Delcy Rodriguez met with US President Donald Trump in New York prior to the releases.
- Establishment of a seven-member committee to review Supreme Court justice selection as part of judicial reform.
- Foro Penal reports 344 political prisoners remain, with 1,073 total releases recorded in 2026.
// Timeline
-
US forces remove Nicolas Maduro in a military raid; Delcy Rodriguez becomes interim president.
-
Interim government enacts an amnesty law under US pressure.
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Major earthquakes kill over 6,300 people in Venezuela.
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First round of government-opposition talks focuses on earthquake recovery funds and judicial reform.
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Foro Penal reports 344 political prisoners remain in custody prior to the latest release wave.
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Delcy Rodriguez meets Donald Trump in New York and delivers a speech to the UN General Assembly.
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39 political prisoners are released following the conclusion of the second round of talks.
// Perspectives
[Interim Government (Delcy Rodriguez)]
Framing the releases as part of a democratic transformation and a path toward future elections while governing under US pressure.
[Opposition (Dinorah Figuera)]
Viewing the talks as a vehicle for judicial reform and the eventual release of all political prisoners, despite their exclusion from the formal agenda.
[Human Rights Groups (Foro Penal/JEP)]
Cautiously optimistic but critical of the slow pace of releases and the persistence of Maduro-era repression systems.
[United States (Trump Administration)]
Asserting that the removal of Maduro and subsequent diplomatic pressure are successfully driving reconciliation and democratic restoration.
// Quotes
“We will remain vigilant and continue to demand full freedom for all those who are still waiting.”
“A crucial step for the country’s reconciliation.”
“Without an urgent and complete reconstruction of the justice system, it will be impossible to guarantee freedoms.”
