Foro Penal Reports 80 Political Prisoner Releases, Rodriguez Says 626 Freed

Alfredo Romero, director of Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal, said on social media that his organization had verified the release of at least 80 people considered political prisoners from prisons across Venezuela and that more releases were likely, according to his posts.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said on Jan. 23, 2026, that 626 people had been released and said she planned to ask U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk to verify the lists, Rodriguez said.

The Venezuelan government denied holding political prisoners and said detainees were arrested for criminal activity, a position disputed by Foro Penal and international human rights groups who say detentions have been used to muzzle critics, human rights leaders said.

Foro Penal had previously confirmed the release of 156 political prisoners since Jan. 8, 2026, said at least five Spanish nationals were among those freed, and posted an image of colleague Kennedy Tejeda who it said had been held in Tocorón prison since August 2024, records and posts show.

Foro Penal said many released detainees have not had charges dropped and remain barred from public speaking, and human rights groups said verification of identities and a U.N. review led by Volker Turk are ongoing as lists continue to be checked.