Venezuela has begun releasing some detainees regarded as political prisoners, following authorities' claims of a U.S. capture of President Nicolás Maduro—an allegation that remains unverified. Rights group Foro Penal confirmed at least nine releases, including five Spanish nationals and Enrique Marquez, but estimates more than 800 political prisoners still remain, including roughly 80 foreigners. The factbox profiles prominent opposition figures held in recent years and highlights ongoing uncertainty about locations, charges and legal status for many detainees.
Venezuela Frees Some Political Prisoners Amid Controversial Claims About Maduro; High-Profile Opposition Figures Still Detained
People attend a vigil, as family members and human rights activists protest in front of the Helicoide headquarters to demand the continued release of political prisoners, after National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced that a number of foreign and Venezuelan prisoners will be released, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
Jan 9 (Reuters) - Venezuelan authorities have begun a gradual release of detainees whom rights groups and opposition leaders consider political prisoners, after what authorities described as a U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro—an allegation that has not been independently verified.
U.S. President Donald Trump said early on Friday that "Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of 'Seeking Peace.'" Venezuelan officials have not published a list of names or confirmed how many detainees will be freed.
By Friday evening, rights group Foro Penal had confirmed at least nine releases, including five Spanish nationals and former opposition presidential candidate Enrique Marquez. Foro Penal continues to estimate that more than 800 people remain detained as political prisoners in Venezuela, including about 80 foreign nationals.
Profiles: High-Profile Opposition Figures Held In Venezuela
Juan Pablo Guanipa
Guanipa is a prominent opposition politician and an ally of opposition leader María Corina Machado. He was arrested in May 2025 after months in hiding amid accusations that he led a terrorist plot—an allegation he denies. Guanipa, a lawyer by training, was detained days before last year’s parliamentary elections. After his arrest he posted on social media: "I don't know what will happen to me in the coming hours, days and weeks. But I am sure that we will win this long fight against the dictatorship."
Freddy Superlano
Superlano, former head of the Voluntad Popular party, was retroactively barred by the Supreme Court from standing in the 2021 Barinas governor’s race. Video from his detention after the 2024 election shows him being forced into the back of an unmarked vehicle while surrounded by armed agents.
Roland Carreño
Carreño, a journalist and former operations director for Voluntad Popular, was detained in August 2024 in Caracas by unidentified intelligence agents driving vehicles without license plates, the party said. Prosecutors alleged he participated in "conspirative plans against the democratic peace." He had previously been held in October 2020 on terrorism financing charges and was released in October 2023 amid talks between Caracas and Washington.
Perkins Rocha
Rocha, a lawyer for the Vente Venezuela movement and close confidant of María Corina Machado, was seized in August 2024 by unknown individuals, according to the opposition. Rocha also served as Machado’s campaign spokesperson. Machado posted on X in the wake of his detention: "We keep moving forward, for Perkins, for all those jailed and persecuted and for all of Venezuela."
Rafael Tudares
Tudares, 45, is the son-in-law of former opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González. An attorney not publicly active in politics, he was detained in January 2025 in Caracas by masked men while driving his two young children to school. His wife has been visiting detention centers since release announcements but says she does not know for certain where he is being held.
Javier Tarazona
Tarazona is the former director of FundaRedes, an NGO that documents alleged abuses by armed groups and the Venezuelan military along the Colombia border. He and three colleagues—including his brother Jose Rafael Tarazona—were arrested in July 2021 after reporting harassment by intelligence officials. They were later charged with instigating hatred, treason and terrorism; the organization said unidentified armed men waited for Tarazona at his hotel when he was taken.
Context: Venezuelan authorities frequently accuse opposition figures of terrorism, treason or plotting to overthrow the government—charges denied by those detained and criticized by human rights organizations. Foro Penal’s tally and reports from families and opposition leaders underline continuing uncertainty around detention locations, legal status and the total number of political detainees.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
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