Family members of detainees wait outside the National Police Zone 7 Detention Centre as Venezuela’s government begins releasing some detainees, with the freeing of political prisoners marking a move long demanded by human rights groups, international bodies and opposition leaders, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 12, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters Venezuela said on Monday (January 12, 2026) 116 political prisoners had been released since the government announced last week it would begin freeing those jailed under president Nicolas Maduro, who was seized by U.S. forces in a raid on Caracas. “These measures have benefited individuals deprived of liberty for acts related to disrupting the constitutional order and undermining the Nation’s stability,” the Ministry of the Penitentiary Service said in a statement. The statement put the number of those released at 116, although Opposition and rights groups have reported lower figures. Published – January 12, 2026 08:21 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Revanna quotes popular Kannada song to criticise Shivalinge Gowda Man, woman found dead inside home