Overview
- Interim authorities freed at least four U.S. citizens, with AP sources saying four were released Tuesday and one on Monday, and a State Department team traveled to Caracas to assist.
- Washington welcomed the move as an important step but did not specify how many Americans were ultimately released.
- Venezuelan officials claim 116 to more than 400 prisoners have been freed, while rights groups have verified roughly 56 to about 70 and criticize opaque, slow procedures.
- Recent releases include opposition figures, journalists and some Spanish and Italian nationals, and access to the social platform X was restored after more than a year of blockage.
- Maduro and Cilia Flores remain in U.S. custody on federal charges in New York as the U.S. advances plans to control and market Venezuelan crude through licensed traders and escrow arrangements.