Venezuela initiated a significant release of political prisoners on Thursday, January 8, 2026, a move widely interpreted as a gesture to 'seek peace' following a major geopolitical shift. Among those freed were prominent opposition figures, including politician Enrique Marquez, who supported opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez in the 2024 presidential elections, and Biagio Pilieri, an opposition party leader and lawmaker critical of the government. Additionally, five Spanish citizens, including the notable Venezuelan-Spanish human rights activist Rocío San Miguel, were released and are preparing to return to Spain. This prisoner release occurred less than a week after former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces to face federal drug-trafficking charges in New York. While the Venezuelan government, currently led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, maintains it holds no 'political prisoners' and accuses detainees of plotting to destabilize the government, human rights organizations like Foro Penal dispute this, reporting 863 people detained for 'political reasons' as of late December 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that these releases were made at the request of the United States and are part of an improved relationship aimed at de-escalating tensions and avoiding further military actions. The event signifies a notable development in Venezuela's political landscape and its international relations.