Government, as claimed by Venezuelan opposition, released 13 individuals who were imprisoned during the post-election crackdown

In a significant development, the Venezuelan government has released 13 opposition members who were arrested following the disputed presidential election in July 2024. The releases, which occurred around August 2025, included notable figures such as former deputy Américo de Grazia and Margarita Assenza, with five more, including opposition figure Pedro Guanipa, placed under house arrest.

The news of the releases was met with celebration by Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who called it a "step forward" on social media. However, the exact reasons for the releases have not been confirmed by Venezuelan authorities.

According to the Venezuelan civil society organization Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, the releases were a result of pressure from victims, organizations, citizen campaigns, and international institutions. The organization also reported that those released had physically and psychologically deteriorated and were returning home with open wounds.

The releases may have been related to a recent prison exchange between Venezuela, the American, and Salvadoran governments. This exchange resulted in the return of 200 Venezuelan deportees from El Salvador's prison for gangs. In exchange, Maduro's government freed 10 jailed Americans.

The prison conditions for the Venezuelan deportees in El Salvador were described as dire before their return. The releases come more than a year after the presidential elections in Venezuela, which were rejected by the international community and opposition members.

Venezuelan authorities deny the detention of opponents for political reasons, asserting they are part of plots to destabilize the government. Despite this, the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners estimates that approximately 1,000 people continue to be detained for political reasons.

Other organizations suggest a lower number of people still in detention for political reasons. The exact connection between the releases and the prison exchange is not specified. American Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported that a number of Venezuelan "political prisoners and detainees" were also released during the exchange, though these releases have not been specifically confirmed by Venezuelan authorities.

The street protests following the elections in Venezuela left 28 dead, 220 injured, and at least 2,000 detained, according to official figures. The recent releases, while a positive step, are a reminder of the ongoing political turmoil in the country.

Government, as claimed by Venezuelan opposition, released 13 individuals who were imprisoned during the post-election crackdown