Families in Venezuela say political prisoner releases are too slow despite Maduro’s ouster

Relatives keep vigil as more detainees remain behind bars

Families of Venezuelans detained for political reasons are still waiting for loved ones to be released, even after the ouster of Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Relatives have camped outside detention centers and organized public appeals, saying that freedom for a few does not change the reality that many remain imprisoned under opaque legal processes.

The Guardian reported on January 26, 2026, that while roughly 250 detainees have been freed since Maduro’s removal, more than 600 people remain jailed, according to the human rights organization Foro Penal. Activists and families argue that the releases so far function more as a political pressure valve than a decisive break with past repression.

Interim leadership faces scrutiny over continuity and control

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has vowed the release process will continue, but critics say key power networks and security structures tied to the previous government still shape events on the ground. Families interviewed described persistent intimidation, uncertainty about charges, and delays that make it hard to plan for reunification or legal defense.

Relatives also question how detainees are prioritized and whether certain cases are being used for bargaining or messaging rather than justice. For those still imprisoned, families say they lack clear timelines and credible assurances that releases will proceed quickly or be paired with broader steps such as due process reviews, independent oversight, and protections against re-arrest.

What families say they want next

Families are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained for political activity, along with transparent lists of who is eligible for release and why. They also want credible investigations into past abuses and safeguards against continued retaliation. Even as emotional reunions circulate online, those still waiting say the public celebration can obscure the continued scale of detention.

Human rights observers say the credibility of the interim government will be judged not only by high-profile announcements, but by whether ordinary detainees—many without legal resources or media attention—are actually freed and allowed to rebuild their lives without fear of renewed persecution.