Human rights group says 104 political prisoners released in Venezuela

At least 104 people considered political prisoners by a leading Venezuelan rights group were released on Sunday as part of an ongoing release process, according to the leader of the group.

Reuters

26 January 2026 at 03:12:11

Human rights group says 104 political prisoners released in Venezuela

Men who were imprisoned are released from prison outside the "El Libertador" prison complex, amid prisoner releases by the Venezuelan government following the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro, in Tocuyito, Venezuela, January 25, 2026.

Juan Carlos Hernandez/Reuter

At least 104 people considered political prisoners by a leading Venezuelan rights group were released on Sunday as part of an ongoing release process, according to the leader of the group.

They were released from prisons across the country and more releases were likely taking place, Alfredo Romero, the director of Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal, said on X.

"It would be ideal if the government published lists of those released," Romero said.

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Friday that 626 people have been released from prison, without specifying the timeline of the reported releases.

Prior to Sunday, Foro Penal had confirmed the release of just 156 political prisoners in Venezuela since January 8.

Rodriguez said that she is due to have a call on Monday with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to ask the U.N. to verify the lists of those released so far in the Andean nation.

-Reuters, Editing by Nick Zieminski and Deepa Babington/Reuters