Venezuela’s top lawmaker and brother of interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday announced that Caracas would release certain political prisoners held captive, following demands from the US.
“The Bolivarian government, together with state institutions, has decided to release a significant number of Venezuelan and foreign individuals, and these release processes are taking place as of this very moment,” Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said.
Venezuela’s top lawmaker and brother of interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday announced that Caracas would release certain political prisoners held captive, following demands from the US. REUTERS
El Helicoide facility in Caracas, a prison for both regular and political prisoners. AFP via Getty Images
Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez and Second Vice President Grecia Colmenares look on as members of Venezuela’s National Assembly hold an ordinary session, in Caracas on Thursday. REUTERSThe Trump administration had previously privately asked for the prisoners’ release in their dealings with Delcy Rodriguez since toppling dictator Nicolas Maduro with an arrest raid on Saturday, multiple sources familiar told The Post.
“This is one example of how the President is using maximum leverage to do right by the American and Venezuelan people,” White House deputy spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
More than 800 political prisoners are believed to be held captive, including at least five Americans, according to advocates.
The announcement comes as Delcy Rodriguez has been under pressure to release prisoners — who are often subjected to torture — as a show of “goodwill” that they are willing to work with Washington.
