Venezuela frees opposition figures and activists, which Trump says US requested
The releases are the first by Venezuela’s new leaders in an apparent concession to the US after its ouster of Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela released a number of imprisoned high-profile opposition figures, activists and journalists - both citizens and foreigners - on Thursday in what the government described as a gesture to “seek peace” less than a week after former president Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces to face drug-trafficking charges.
US President Donald Trump, who has been pressuring Maduro allies now leading the country to fold to his vision for the future of the oil-rich nation, said the releases came at the request of the United States. In the interview on Fox News on Thursday night, Trump praised the government of acting President Delcy Rodriguez, saying: “they’ve been great. ... Everything we’ve wanted, they’ve given us”.
Jorge Rodriguez, brother of the acting president and head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said a “significant number” of people would be freed, but as of late Thursday night it was still not clear who or how many people would be released.
The US government and Venezuela’s opposition have long demanded the widespread release of imprisoned politicians, critics and members of civil society. The Venezuelan government insists it does not hold political prisoners.
“Consider this a gesture by the Bolivarian (Venezuelan) government, which is broadly intended to seek peace,” he announced.