US official says Venezuela freeing Americans in ‘important step’
Venezuela began releasing jailed Americans on Tuesday, a U.S. official said, welcoming the move by the country’s interim leadership after Washington ousted former president Nicolas Maduro.
The official did not provide details about the prisoner releases or say how many were released, other than multiple prisoners were released.
“We welcome the release of Americans detained in Venezuela. This is an important step in the right direction by interim authorities,” a State Department official said on condition of anonymity. he said.
Vice president Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s acting president, ordered the release of prisoners following the US attack.
US President Donald Trump welcomed the gesture, saying his response was to cancel the second wave of attacks on Venezuela.
Many have been jailed for participating in protests over the 2024 election, in which Maduro was declared the winner despite widespread allegations that the vote was rigged.
Venezuela had previously released Spanish and Italian citizens from prisons.
The United States has long made the release of its citizens abroad a high priority, securing the freedom of some of them in a deal with Maduro last year.
– X access restored –
Domestically, Venezuelans gained a freedom Tuesday: the ability to post on social media platform X.
The social network has become accessible once again, more than a year after users were blocked by deposed president Maduro.
Rodriguez updated his profile bio (he served as vice president under Maduro) and wrote: “Let’s stay united, moving towards economic stability, social justice and the welfare state we deserve.”
Access to the social media network owned by billionaire Elon Musk, who engaged in heated online exchanges with the ousted Venezuelan leader, remained spotty until Maduro attacked and shut down X in retaliation for criticism of the disputed 2024 election.
Following the July 2024 elections, Maduro was declared the winner amid allegations of fraud and his platform was suspended in August.
Before this, X was a leading social media network for Venezuelans, but the blockade meant ministers, MPs and government institutions stopped updating its pages.
According to official figures, Rodriguez came to power after Maduro was captured along with his wife by US military forces on January 3 during attacks that left more than 100 people dead.
The couple has been charged with alleged drug trafficking in the United States.
Maduro’s X account was also updated with a photo of the ousted leader and his wife Cilia Flores.
“We want you back,” the post reads.
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