Caracas, Venezuela — The Venezuelan government has announced the liberation of a significant number of political prisoners, including both Venezuelan and foreign nationals. This move comes just five days after the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a military operation conducted by the United States, and follows direct requests from U.S. authorities for such releases as part of broader diplomatic efforts.
The announcement, made by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, stated the measure aims to foster “national unity” within the country. However, Rodríguez provided no specific figures on the number of individuals to be freed or their identities, merely confirming that “processes of liberation are underway” for a “significant number” of detainees. This lack of transparency contrasts with reports from organizations like Foro Penal, which documented 806 political prisoners in Venezuelan jails as of January 5, 2025, including individuals with dual citizenship.
International pressure and the immediate impact
Following the military operation that led to Maduro’s capture, U.S. authorities, according to sources close to a report presented to lawmakers by the Trump administration this week, specifically requested the release of political prisoners. This demand was a key component of the international community’s expectations for a transition in Venezuela. The immediate confirmation of releases, particularly involving foreign nationals, underscores the weight of this international pressure and the swift response from Caracas.
The initial confirmed releases from Venezuelan prisons involve five Spanish citizens, with at least three of them having been detained in the aftermath of the 2014 post-electoral crisis. Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, promptly confirmed that all five individuals were already en route back to the European nation, signaling a tangible outcome of the recent political shifts. These first liberations have provided the international community with concrete evidence of the Venezuelan government’s commitment to releasing political prisoners, though the full scope of these actions remains to be seen.
Overview of confirmed releases
The confirmed release of several individuals marks a critical development in Venezuela’s political landscape. These are some of the first political prisoners whose liberation has been officially verified, providing initial insight into the government’s actions following the recent political upheaval. Each case reflects a distinct aspect of the country’s complex human rights situation, from activists to journalists caught in broader geopolitical tensions.
Rocío San Miguel: A case of human rights advocacy
Rocío del Carmen San Miguel Sosa, 58, is a prominent Venezuelan-Spanish lawyer known for her expertise in international law and politics, holding a master’s degree from IAEDEN. She has earned widespread recognition as an analyst focusing on security, defense, and human rights issues within Venezuela, consistently advocating for transparency and accountability. Her work often involved critically examining the role and conduct of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.
Before her detention, San Miguel served as president of Control Ciudadano, a civil association dedicated to monitoring military affairs. She also held various positions within state agencies and lectured at military institutions, demonstrating a deep understanding of Venezuela’s security apparatus. In 2018, her case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights established a significant precedent concerning human rights and political participation. Sosa was arrested in February 2024, facing alleged conspiracy charges that her defense vehemently rejected, and has now been released after serving time in El Helicoide prison, a detention center frequently cited for human rights abuses. Her prolonged detention had drawn considerable concern from American authorities.
Andrés Martínez and José María Basoa: Accusations and travel
Andrés Martínez and José María Basoa, both natives of Spain’s Basque Country, were arrested in September 2024 in Puerto Ayacucho, located in Venezuela’s Amazonas state, according to reports from the Foro Penal organization. Their detention quickly became a point of contention between Venezuela and Spain, highlighting the precarious situation of foreign nationals within the country. The circumstances surrounding their capture raised international alarms regarding due process and human rights.
The Venezuelan government accused Martínez and Basoa of involvement in an alleged “terrorist” operation, which Venezuela’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, claimed included sending “a group of mercenaries” to assassinate Nicolás Maduro and ties to Spain’s National Intelligence Center. These allegations were categorically denied by the Spanish government, further complicating the diplomatic efforts for their release. The two young men, aged 32 and 35 at the time of their arrest, had been traveling through South America on vacation since late August 2024, with their families reporting them missing after their last known contact in Inírida, Colombia, on September 2, en route to Venezuela.
Miguel Moreno Dapena: Journalist caught in disputed waters
Miguel Moreno Dapena, a 34-year-old journalist from Spain’s Canary Islands, was detained in June 2025 when the Venezuelan Navy intercepted the N35 maritime exploration vessel on which he was working. The vessel was reportedly engaged in a mission to locate World War II shipwrecks, a historical and archaeological endeavor that inadvertently led to an international incident. His capture quickly drew the attention of press freedom organizations worldwide.
Venezuelan authorities asserted that the N35 exhibited “highly suspicious behavior” within the country’s exclusive economic zone, leading to Moreno Dapena’s arrest and subsequent detention. This incident occurred amidst heightened vigilance by Venezuela over its maritime territories, especially concerning foreign vessels operating near its borders. The government’s justification for the detention highlighted its stance on perceived infringements of national sovereignty.
According to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Moreno Dapena’s mother recounted that during a brief communication in July 2025, her son informed her he had been accused of “terrorism” and “invasion of Venezuelan security zones.” These grave charges underscored the severity of his situation and the challenges faced by foreign citizens detained under such circumstances in Venezuela. The family’s public statements were crucial in raising awareness of his plight and pressuring for his release.
Moreno Dapena, who endured more than 200 days in detention within the South American nation, had a career spanning various media outlets, including La Provincia, Expansión, and Sport, before stepping away from active journalism. His case became a symbol of the risks journalists face in politically charged regions, especially when their work or travel intersects with sensitive national security concerns.
Ernesto Gorbe Cardona: Limited details known
Ernesto Gorbe Cardona, a 52-year-old man from Valencia, Spain, has also been confirmed among those liberated. His release adds to the list of Spanish nationals benefiting from the recent political shifts in Venezuela. However, specific details surrounding his case, including the circumstances of his arrest and the charges he faced, remain largely undisclosed to the public.
News organizations, including CNN, are actively working to gather more information regarding Gorbe Cardona’s detention and the specifics of his release. The ongoing efforts to identify and document each freed individual highlight the opacity surrounding the broader prisoner liberation process. The lack of detailed public records for many detainees complicates the full accounting of those affected by the government’s announcement.
The broader context of political detentions
The liberation of these individuals occurs against a backdrop of deep concern over the overall state of human rights and political freedom in Venezuela. Organizations like Foro Penal have consistently documented a high number of political detentions, often under vague charges and without due process. This continuous monitoring by NGOs plays a crucial role in shedding light on the human cost of political instability.
While the government has pledged to release a “significant number” of prisoners, the exact scope and timeline of these liberations are still unclear. The international community, human rights advocates, and the families of those still detained are eagerly awaiting comprehensive lists and details, emphasizing the need for full transparency and accountability in this critical period of transition. The focus remains on ensuring all political prisoners are freed and that mechanisms are put in place to prevent future arbitrary detentions.
