Foro Penal Questions Venezuela’s Reported Prisoner Releases

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Issue May 20-26 2026: Following an announcement by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez regarding the release of 500 detainees, Foro Penal reported that it had verified the release of only 39 political prisoners since May 18 in Venezuela. According to Tal Cual of Caracas, the number of confirmed political prisoner releases remains far below the figures announced by the government.

Referring to the release of 300 detainees announced by Jorge Rodríguez as a “humanitarian measure” separate from the Amnesty Law, he explained that the measure would apply to individuals over the age of 70, minors, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and citizens with medical conditions requiring special treatment.

Similarly, government official Delcy Rodríguez stated that since January 2026, around 1,500 individuals detained for political reasons have been released, while the Amnesty Law has granted full legal freedom to 8,740 people, including 314 who had been imprisoned.

Trump stated that his administration would work toward securing the release of all political prisoners.

Nonetheless, human rights organizations have criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the release and continue to demand official lists of the individuals who have benefited from these measures. According to organizations such as Foro Penal and Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón, Venezuela currently has between 400 and 600 civilian and military political prisoners.