Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Venezuela Releases Prisoners, US Safeguards Oil Revenue
Venezuela has started releasing some political prisoners, including people from the opposition leader's party.
This happened after the US captured Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro.
The US has also made a rule to protect Venezuela's oil money in the US.
The US president wants oil companies to invest $100 billion in Venezuela, but some companies think it's not a good idea right now.
The Venezuelan government says they will keep trying to get Maduro back.
They have released a few prisoners so far, but there are still many more in jail.
Venezuela released at least five political prisoners, including a member of opposition leader María Corina Machado’s party.
The release of political prisoners is a demand from the opposition following the US capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela’s National Assembly head Jorge Rodríguez said more prisoners would be released as a gesture of peace.
The US president signed an executive order to safeguard Venezuelan oil revenue held in US Treasury accounts.
Major US oil executives expressed caution about Trump’s push for them to invest $100 billion in Venezuela.
- Who
- Venezuela, US authorities, political prisoners, oil executives
- What
- Release of political prisoners, US safeguards Venezuelan oil revenue
- When
- Saturday, January 2024
- Where
- Venezuela, US
- Why
- US capture of Nicolás Maduro, opposition demands, US oil investment push
- Prisoners Released
- At least 5
- Prisoners Estimated
- More than 800
- Notable Prisoners Released
- Virgilio Laverde, Biagio Pilieri, Enrique Márquez, 5 Spanish citizens
- US Executive Order
- Safeguards Venezuelan oil revenue in US Treasury accounts
- US Oil Investment Push
- $100 billion
- Exxon Mobil's Stance
- Venezuela is 'uninvestable'
Sources
4 Oil Tankers That Left Venezuela In 'Dark Mode' Back In Its Waters
Trump signs executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenues held in US accounts
Venezuela Frees Political Prisoners, Pledges to ‘Rescue’ Maduro
Trump admin to ease some Venezuela sanctions soon, says Bessent days after Maduro's capture: Report
