Venezuela on Tuesday began releasing imprisoned Americans, a US official said, praising the move by the country’s interim leadership following Washington’s ouster of former President Nicolas Maduro.
The official did not immediately give details about the release of the prisoners or say how many were being released, apart from the fact that there were more than one.
“We welcome the release of the Americans held in Venezuela. This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities,” said a State Department official on condition of anonymity.
Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s vice president who became acting president, ordered the release of the prisoners after the American attack.
US President Donald Trump praised the gesture, saying his response was to stop the second wave of strikes on Venezuela.
Many were jailed for taking part in protests over the 2024 elections, in which Maduro was declared the winner despite widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
Venezuela has previously released Spanish and Italian citizens from its prisons.
The United States has long made freeing its citizens abroad a top priority, securing freedom for some in a deal with Maduro last year.
– Access X restored –
Domestically, Venezuelans regained one freedom on Tuesday — the ability to post on the X social media platform.
The social network was once again accessible, more than a year after users were blocked by vice president Maduro.
Rodriguez updated her bio-profile — she served as vice president under Maduro — and wrote: “Let us remain united, moving towards economic stability, social justice, and the welfare state we deserve to aspire to.”
Access remained erratic to the social media network owned by billionaire Elon Musk, who has been involved in heated online exchanges with the ousted Venezuelan leader, until Maduro retaliated against criticism of his disputed 2024 election and shut down X.
After the July 2024 election, Maduro was declared the winner amid allegations of fraud and suspended the platform in August.
Before that, X was a prominent social media network for Venezuelans, but the blockade meant that ministers, legislators and government institutions stopped updating their pages.
Rodriguez took power after Maduro was captured by US military forces on January 3 along with his wife, during attacks that left more than 100 dead, according to official figures.
The couple are facing US charges of alleged drug trafficking.
Maduro’s X account has also been updated with a photo of the deposed leader and his wife, Cilia Flores.
“We want you back,” the post reads.
bur-jgc/jm