Overview
- The State Department confirmed that multiple Americans were freed and declined to give a number, while Associated Press reporting cited four released on Tuesday and one on Monday, attributing the details to an unnamed source.
- Independent tallies show far fewer releases than officials claim, with Foro Penal confirming 56 political prisoners freed and a U.N. mission noting roughly 50 of about 800, compared with government assertions ranging from 116 to 400 without full documentation.
- A U.S. State Department team traveled to Caracas to assist, and officials and NGOs reported that some Spanish and Italian nationals were also released in recent days.
- Acting president Delcy Rodríguez portrayed a “new era” and restored access to X as authorities continued quiet, staggered releases that included journalists and media workers, according to AFP and press unions.
- Washington is applying leverage through control of Venezuelan oil sales discussed at 30–50 million barrels, and President Trump said he canceled a planned second wave of strikes after initial releases, as the U.S. Embassy urged Americans to leave Venezuela citing security risks.