Venezuela's government announced the release of 300 political prisoners in a surprise move that marks one of the largest mass releases under Nicolás Maduro's regime.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, announced the releases late Monday, confirming that among those freed are Metropolitan Police officers who had been detained during post-election protests following the disputed 2024 presidential vote.
The announcement comes after months of international pressure on the Maduro regime to release those detained during demonstrations that erupted after Maduro claimed victory in an election widely viewed as fraudulent by the international community. Foro Penal, Venezuela's leading human rights organization tracking political prisoners, had documented over 1,800 political detainees as of last month.
The timing raises questions about what prompted the regime's calculation. Several diplomatic sources in Caracas suggest the release may be tied to renewed sanctions pressure from Washington or potential behind-the-scenes negotiations with regional powers including Brazil and Colombia.
Among those released are officers from Caracas's Metropolitan Police force, a unit that historically reported to opposition-controlled city governments before being absorbed into national security structures. Their detention had become a particular point of contention, with families staging regular protests outside detention facilities.
The releases do not appear to include high-profile opposition leaders or those convicted in military tribunals, suggesting the regime is calibrating its response to ease international pressure while maintaining control over key political opponents.
María Corina Machado, 's leading opposition figure currently in hiding, called the releases in a statement shared on social media.
