The Venezuelan government on Thursday committed to releasing an “important number” of political prisoners, in its latest concession to the United States.
Jorge Rodriguez, brother of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez and head of Venezuela’s legislature, announced the release of political prisoners. He told reporters that the releases were happening “from this very moment.”
“In order to contribute and collaborate in the effort that all of us must make for national unity and peaceful coexistence, the Bolivarian government, together with the institutions of the state, has decided to free an important number of Venezuelan and foreign individuals,” he said.
flanked by diplomat Roy Chaderton, left, and former Vice President Elias Jaua, pose for a photo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Dec. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Tatiana Fernandez, File)
“Consider this gesture by the Bolivarian government, with its broad intention of seeking peace, as the contribution that all of us must make so that our republic can continue its life in peace and in pursuit of prosperity,” Rodriguez added.
Human rights groups estimate that over 800 political prisoners are being held in Venezuela as of Thursday, with 40 of those being foreign nationals. The foreign nationals include roughly 20 Spaniards and five U.S. citizens. The government didn’t immediately reveal how many prisoners would be released as part of the current move.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the State Department for comment.
Caracas had already begun releasing political prisoners ahead of Saturday’s raid that saw the arrest of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, releasing around 200 from December to New Year’s Day, the New York Times reported.
The Spanish foreign ministry announced the release of “five Spanish nationals, one of them a citizen with dual nationality, who are preparing to travel to Spain with assistance from our embassy in Caracas,” on Thursday.
“Spain, which maintains fraternal relations with the Venezuelan people, views this decision as a positive step in the new phase Venezuela is entering,” it added.
The U.S. citizen of most interest is James Luckey-Lange, 28, a traveller captured in December who was being held at a military counterintelligence headquarters in Caracas.
President Donald Trump also hinted at other human rights reforms. On Tuesday, he alluded to the closing down of the Helicoide de la Roca Tarpeya, a former shopping center turned into a prison and torture center under the socialist government.
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The move is just the latest of several that indicate a major change in stance from Caracas after initial defiance following Saturday’s raid. After a conciliatory statement released on Sunday, the Rodriguez government has made several concessions to the U.S., including an oil deal that allows the U.S. to decide to whom the oil gets sold.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was prioritizing stability and recovery before a change in power as part of its next steps for Venezuela.