MIRANDA, VENEZUELA – JANUARY 10: Relatives of prisoners demonstrate during the release of political prisoners on January 10, 2026 in Miranda, Venezuela. Venezuelan political prisoners Enrique Márquez and Biagio Pilieri, along with at least five detained people, have been released after Jorge Rodriguez, President of the Parliament, announced that they would be releasing “an important number” of prisoners, both venezuelan and foreigners, five days after Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

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Peter Aitken

By Peter Aitken

Politics Weekend Editor

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President Donald Trump on Saturday evening announced in a post on Truth Social that Venezuela has "started the process, in a BIG WAY" of releasing political prisoners - a significant step towards the post-Maduro era for the South American nation.

Newsweek reached out to the White House by email and the U.S. State Department by submission form outside of normal business hours on Saturday evening for comment.

Why It Matters

The U.S. has stressed the need for Venezuela to release political prisoners if the nation, currently under the rule of Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, wants to achieve stability and cooperation with the U.S. and regional allies.

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The move follows an earlier release this week of citizens and foreign nationals from prison on Thursday in what a top government official described as a gesture to “seek peace."

Relatives of prisoners demonstrate during the release of political prisoners on January 10, 2026 in Miranda, Venezuela. Venezuelan political prisoners Enrique Márquez and Biagio Pilieri, along with at least five detained people, have been released after Jorge Rodriguez, President of the Parliament, announced that they would be releasing "an important number" of prisoners, both venezuelan and foreigners, five days after Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

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What To Know

Trump posted on Truth Social at around 6:45 p.m. ET, declaring that Venezuela has started the process of releasing its political prisoners.

"Venezuela has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners. Thank you!" Trump wrote.

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

Trump on Friday said he was cancelling a planned second wave of strikes on Venezuela due to cooperation from the interim regime, writing that the release of political prisoners would be a "very important and smart gesture."

"The U.S.A. and Venezuela are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure," Trump said on Friday.

Jorge Rodriguez, brother of the interim president and head of the nation's National Assembly, said that country had released a "significant number" of foreign nationals from prison on Thursday, which Trump took as a sign that the regime is "seeking peace."

The U.S. on Saturday also warned American citizens and lawful permanent residents on Saturday to leave Venezuela immediately, citing an increasingly dangerous security environment and threats to U.S. nationals.

What Happens Next

The U.S. is expected to maintain its Level 4 advisory for Venezuela as long as security conditions and risks to Americans remain severe.

Update 1/10/26, 10:12 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

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