Overview
- National Assembly chief Jorge Rodríguez announced the move as a unilateral gesture, publicly thanking José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Qatar for facilitating contacts.
- Spain confirmed the release of five nationals, including one dual citizen, and Italian sources confirmed the freedom of Luigi Gasperin and Biagio Pilieri, while full official lists have not been published.
- Reports put the number freed at roughly 250 so far with Caracas indicating as many as 400 could be released, though the government has not provided a complete tally.
- The fate of Italian aid worker Alberto Trentini remains unconfirmed, with Rome intensifying efforts for him and other detainees such as businessman Mario Burlò.
- Rights groups note hundreds of political prisoners in Venezuela across facilities like El Helicoide and El Rodeo, and some high-profile Venezuelans, including Rocío San Miguel and Enrique Márquez, are among those released.