‘In a big way’: Trump says Venezuela has begun releasing political prisoners

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said hopes Venezuelan political prisoners being freed will “remember how lucky they got,” claiming US pressure pushed Caracas to begin releasing detainees after years of international criticism.

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, January 10, Trump claimed Venezuela had started freeing political prisoners “in a BIG WAY,” as families waited outside prisons in Caracas and other cities for a third day, hoping their relatives would be released.

Trump says Venezuela is caving as political prisoners begin to be released

Trump said the releases showed Venezuela was backing down under pressure from the United States. In his post, he thanked those involved in the process and warned the freed prisoners not to forget what he described as decisive US action.

“Thank you! I hope those prisoners will remember how lucky they got that the USA came along and did what had to be done,” Trump wrote. “I HOPE THEY NEVER FORGET! If they do, it will not be good for them.”

According to rights group Foro Penal, only a small number of political prisoners have been freed so far, even as families and advocates continue to press for broader releases.

Many prominent opposition figures detained after the contested 2024 presidential election remain behind bars, including lawmaker Freddy Superlano, former governor Juan Pablo Guanipa, and Perkins Rocha, legal counsel to opposition leader María Corina Machado. 

The son-in-law of former presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia is also still incarcerated.

Earlier in the week, Venezuelan authorities freed several high-profile critics of the Maduro government, including journalists, activists, and foreign citizens. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said a “significant number” had been released, though officials have not disclosed exact figures or identities.

Trump says prisoner releases show Venezuela is ‘seeking peace,’ cancels second round of strikes

Trump said Venezuela’s decision to release political prisoners signaled it was “seeking peace,” prompting him to call off what had been expected to be a second wave of US military strikes.

In a separate Truth Social post, Trump said improved cooperation between Washington and Caracas led to the decision, adding that US military assets would remain in place for “safety and security purposes.”

He also indicated that the United States plans to guide Venezuela through its political transition, saying his administration would effectively oversee the country until there is a peaceful transfer of power. Trump publicly voiced support for Delcy Rodríguez in that role, praising her and framing the move as part of a broader effort to stabilize Venezuela.