AMERICAS
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Venezuela releases several detained US citizens
The move comes amid broader prisoner releases announced by Venezuela’s interim leadership under acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
Venezuela releases several detained US citizens
Police officers stand guard during the release of political prisoners in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 8, 2026. / AA
7 hours ago

The US State Department said on Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim government has freed several detained American citizens.

This marks the first known release of American detainees since US forces abducted former president Nicolas Maduro in a military operation earlier this month.

State Department officials reportedly travelled to Venezuela to facilitate the releases, though authorities did not disclose the exact number of Americans freed.

The move comes amid broader prisoner releases announced by Venezuela’s interim leadership under acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said last week that a significant number of Venezuelan and foreign prisoners would be freed as a gesture towards peace.

Caracas has also released other foreign nationals, including several Spanish citizens.

Unlike a prisoner swap last summer, when Venezuela freed 10 Americans in exchange for the repatriation of deported Venezuelans held in El Salvador, the latest releases appear tied to broader diplomatic pressure following the US intervention rather than a direct exchange.

SOURCE:AFP