Venezuelan Authorities Have Released 131 Political Prisoners

• 15.08.2026, 13:02

Results of the first round of national reconciliation talks with the opposition.

Following the first round of talks between the interim government and the opposition in Venezuela on Friday, August 14, 131 political prisoners were released, according to Deutsche Welle.

According to a statement from the country’s government, those released had previously been detained “in connection with alleged or confirmed involvement in crimes,” and were therefore subject to “alternative measures restricting their freedom.” According to Reuters, the Venezuelan government has not yet specified the nature of these “alternative measures.”


“Not everyone has been released, but all (political prisoners—Ed.) deserve complete freedom. Let’s continue to demand this tirelessly until every citizen is reunited with their family,” said politician Dinora Figuera, who heads the opposition delegation in negotiations with the Venezuelan government, commenting on the release.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the release of 131 people “an important step toward national reconciliation.” He added that 1,046 political prisoners have already been released in Venezuela since the beginning of the year.

The U.S. supports negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the opposition

The first round of negotiations concluded on August 12. In particular, the parties managed to reach an agreement on judicial reform.

The United States supports negotiations between the opposition and Venezuela’s interim government. Under pressure from Washington, even before the start of the national dialogue, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez signed an amnesty law, thanks to which several hundred political prisoners have already been released.