Venezuela Releases Imprisoned Americans in ‘Important Step in the Right Direction’
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Venezuela has begun releasing a number of political prisoners, including several U.S. citizens, as authorities say they carry out a larger amnesty intended to “seek peace.” Human rights groups, however, say the actual number freed is smaller than official claims: authorities announced 116 releases but one group estimated only 56 people were actually freed, while CNN estimates Venezuela still holds more than 800 political prisoners. The U.S. State Department confirmed several Americans were released but did not give names or totals.
Government figures and comments from National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez framed the move as a peace gesture; President Trump tweeted praise for the releases and U.S.-Venezuela cooperation. Families and opposition figures are calling for the full and unconditional release of all political prisoners-Aurora de Superlano, the wife of detained opposition figure Freddy Superlano, said efforts continue to free everyone still held.
Some individuals publicly identified as released include human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, opposition leader Biagio Pilieri, former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez, and Italian businessman Marco Burlò, who described his detention as a “pure and real kidnapping” and recounted isolation and lack of legal access. Critics and rights groups continue to press for transparency and the liberation of the many remaining detainees.
Venezuela has freed several Americans who were detained during what the country’s leaders have promised will be a large release of political prisoners.
However, as noted by CNN, a human rights group estimated that only 56 of the 116 people Venezuelan authorities said were freed have actually been released.
CNN estimated the number of political prisoners held by the government is more than 800.
The State Department confirmed the release of several Americans without providing a number or the identities of those freed, according to NBC News.
“Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of “
‘Seeking Peace.’ This is a very important and smart gesture. The U.S.A. and Venezuela are working well together…” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/AxEDLQoKAc— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 9, 2026
A State Department official called the release of detained Americas “an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities.”
Last week, Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, said many prisoners would be freed as a step to “seek peace.”
At that time, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said there were four “unlawfully detained” Americans held.
Thanks to this man, Donald J. Trump, political prisoners are being released in Venezuela.
People who were being tortured.
Blessed be the peacemakers. Peace through strength. pic.twitter.com/dRSVUor5gM
— Daniel Di Martino 🇺🇸🇻🇪 (@DanielDiMartino) January 8, 2026
Families of political prisoners are calling for all of them to be freed.
“We are demanding the full and unconditional release of all political prisoners, not just a specific number,” Aurora de Superlano, the wife of prisoner Freddy Superlano, said. Her husband is an opposition political figure who is still behind bars.
“We are applying the necessary pressure and carrying out the necessary activities within what we, as a nation, are able to do. All of our efforts are aimed at contributing to the freedom of all the political prisoners in our country,” she said.
The identities of some who have been released were made known by the Associated Press.
Human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, opposition political leader Biagio Pilieri, and former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez were among those freed.
Machado urges Pope Leo to support release of Venezuelan prisoners https://t.co/T8o4wEl0rR pic.twitter.com/mTfmIJPCwr
— Pope news (@Pope_news) January 13, 2026
Italian businessman Marco Burlò was freed Monday and arrived in Rome on Tuesday, saying his arrest was a “pure and real kidnapping.”
“I can’t say that I was physically abused, but without being able to talk to our children, without the right to defense, without being able to speak to the lawyer, completely isolated, here they thought that I might have died,” he said.
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