Continuing releases after Nicolás Maduro's US detention (see prior coverage), US Ambassador to Argentina Peter Lamelas demanded freedom for Venezuelan political prisoners and thanked President Javier Milei, Donald Trump, and Marco Rubio for support. This follows announcements of unilateral releases, though opposition questions progress, as Venezuela frees more foreigners.
In a post on X, US Ambassador to Argentina Peter Lamelas called for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela, criticizing the Maduro era's lack of sovereignty and praising the chance for self-determination. "The United States and Argentina defend a safe, free Western Hemisphere... We reaffirm our support for the release of hostages and political prisoners unjustly detained," he wrote, thanking Presidents Trump and Milei, and Senator Rubio.
The statement follows National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez's unilateral peace gesture to release prisoners amid pressures post-Maduro's US military detention. Opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia expressed doubts, noting minimal implementation despite promises.
On January 19, Venezuela released seven more detainees: three Germans (Oleg Ziesmann, detained Jan 7, 2025; Gunter Sandau, Nov 7, 2024; Pascal Dominik Burton, Jul 4, 2025), three Dutch nationals, and one Panamanian. Separately, interim President Delcy Rodríguez met CIA Director John Ratcliffe to bolster US ties.
These build on earlier releases of opposition figures and Spanish nationals announced January 8 (see series coverage).
