Americas

Venezuela Frees Political Prisoners, Vows to ‘Rescue’ Maduro

Women hug while waiting for news on the release of prisoners, outside El Rodeo prison in Guatire, Miranda State, Venezuela on Jan. 10. — Women hug while waiting for news on the release of prisoners, outside El Rodeo prison in Guatire, Miranda State, Venezuela on Jan. 10.
Photographer: Pedro Mattey/AFP/Getty Images

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By Alex Vasquez and Carolina Pulice

January 10, 2026 at 7:06 PM UTC

Updated on

January 11, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC

Venezuela continued releasing political prisoners on Saturday, including a member of opposition leader María Corina Machado’s party, a week after President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces.

Venezuelan authorities released at least seven people, including Virgilio Laverde, youth coordinator for Machado’s Vente Venezuela party in the southern state of Bolívar, the human rights organization Foro Penal confirmed on X.