Venezuela’s government begins releasing political prisoners

The Venezuelan government has started releasing detainees considered political prisoners by human rights groups, the BBC writes.

Spain’s foreign ministry said five of its nationals had been released. Among them is prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist, Rocío San Miguel.

The move comes after the US seized Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in a lightning raid on the capital, Caracas, on Saturday, to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

The release of political prisoners in Venezuela has been a long-held US demand.

Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and the brother of its interim president Delcy Rodríguez, announced on state television that “a significant number” would be released immediately, without specifying the number or identity of prisoners being freed.

Jorge Rodríguez said the interim government was releasing them in the interest of “national unity and peaceful coexistence”.