Venezuela freed several high-profile opposition leaders, activists, and journalists on January 8, 2026, in a move described as a gesture toward peace following the U.S. capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the releases as a sign of cooperation and announced the cancellation of planned further attacks. The action coincides with discussions on U.S. investments in Venezuela's oil sector.
On January 8, 2026, Venezuelan authorities released a number of imprisoned opposition figures, activists, and journalists, including both Venezuelan citizens and foreigners, from facilities such as the Rodeo I prison in Guatire, east of Caracas. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, announced the move as a "gesture by the Bolivarian government, which is broadly intended to seek peace." This marked the first such releases since Maduro's capture by U.S. forces on drug-trafficking charges less than a week earlier.
Among those freed were opposition leader Biagio Pilieri, who supported María Corina Machado's 2024 presidential campaign, and Enrique Márquez, a former electoral authority and 2024 candidate. Videos showed Márquez embracing family members and saying, "Soon I will be with you all." Five Spanish citizens were also released, including dual national Rocío San Miguel, a human rights activist, along with Andrés Martínez, José María Basoa, Ernesto Gorbe, and Miguel Moreno. Relatives outside the prison chanted "Libertad! Libertad!" meaning "Freedom! Freedom!"
Trump, in a Fox News interview and Truth Social post, credited the U.S. for requesting the releases and lauded the Venezuelan leadership, stating, "they've been great... Everything we've wanted, they've given us." He announced the cancellation of a "previously expected second wave of attacks," citing cooperation on rebuilding Venezuela's oil infrastructure. Trump added that U.S. energy firms would invest at least $100 billion, with executives from Chevron, Exxon, ConocoPhillips, Valero, Marathon, and Shell meeting at the White House on Friday, alongside officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Opposition leader Machado called it "an act of moral restitution," noting, "Nothing brings back the stolen years." Foro Penal's Alfredo Romero expressed cautious optimism, referencing 863 political detainees as of December 29, 2025. Analysts like Ronal Rodríguez described such releases as strategic bargaining chips, recalling a similar exchange in July 2025 involving U.S. citizens. The Spanish government confirmed the releases of its nationals.
While human rights groups welcomed the step, questions remain about its scope and whether it signals a broader transition or mere appeasement amid U.S. sanctions and oil oversight plans.
