2024 – The disputed presidential election triggers a massive crackdown, leading to more than 2,000 arrests and a wave of arbitrary detentions that human‑rights monitors later label political prisoners[5].

Dec 26, 2025 – The Venezuelan government releases 99 detainees in a “comprehensive review” of cases, while NGOs estimate roughly 900 political prisoners remain behind bars[28].

Jan 1, 2026 – Authorities free an additional 88 prisoners, bringing the two‑week total to 187; NGOs verify at least 55 releases, mostly from Tocorón prison, and maintain that about 900 detainees still face arbitrary confinement[28].

Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. forces execute Operation Absolute, capture President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and transport him to New York for a drug‑trafficking trial, while at least 24 Venezuelan security officers are killed in the raid[21][16].

Jan 4, 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem tells Fox News Sunday that Venezuelans under TPS may apply for refugee status, a statement the agency later retracts on X, emphasizing that the policy shift does not guarantee continued U.S. protection[22].

Jan 5, 2026 – Former Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez is sworn in as acting president; military counter‑intelligence and national intelligence agents detain at least 14 foreign journalists covering the ceremony, reflecting a tightening of information controls[5].

Jan 6, 2026 – Security checkpoints proliferate across Caracas, families report heavy patrols and masked colectivos, and journalists continue to face arrests as the government enforces a decree granting broad powers to suppress support for the U.S. operation that captured Maduro[5][21].

Jan 8, 2026 – The interim government announces its first “peace gesture” by releasing high‑profile detainees, including opposition figures Enrique Márquez and Biagio Pilieri and five Spanish nationals such as lawyer Rocío San Miguel; National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez promises a “significant number” of further releases[20][19][18][17].

Jan 9, 2026 – President Donald Trump cancels a planned second wave of strikes, calling the prisoner releases a “very important and smart gesture” and announcing a prospective $100 billion oil‑rebuilding investment while ordering U.S. ships to remain in place for safety[16][29][30].

Jan 9, 2026 – The government claims more than 100 political prisoners have been freed, Trump thanks Venezuelan authorities on Truth Social for “starting the process in a big way,” and opposition son Ramón Guanipa warns the U.S. president that only about 40 prisoners have actually been released[3][4].

Jan 10, 2026 – Jorge Rodríguez announces a limited batch of releases; families gather outside Rodeo I and El Helicoide demanding information, while Trump reiterates that the releases occur at the United States’ request[15].

Jan 11, 2026 – Trump posts on Truth Social that Venezuela “has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners,” framing the move as a major step toward a post‑Maduro era[13].

Jan 12, 2026 – Foro Penal verifies 49 prisoners freed, including several foreigners; the UN fact‑finding mission welcomes the releases but says they fall far short of the demand for unconditional freedom, and the White House confirms an upcoming meeting between opposition leader María Corina Machado and President Trump[11][12].

Jan 13, 2026 – Government announces 56 releases (contrasting an earlier claim of 116); the UN mission urges immediate, unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained persons, and families camp outside prisons demanding proof of life for their loved ones[10].

Jan 14, 2026 – After the death of detainee Edilson Torres, Foro Penal receives a flood of messages from families seeking political‑prisoner designations, while the government continues to inflate its release figures and the National Assembly’s Jorge Rodríguez frames the releases as a “peace gesture”[9].

Jan 15, 2026 – Acting President Delcy Rodríguez vows to keep freeing prisoners, describing the process as unfinished and linked to the new political moment after Maduro’s removal; Trump later says he had a long, friendly call with Rodríguez at the White House[8].

Jan 16, 2026 – The U.S. Senate advances a War Powers Resolution to curb future presidential action in Venezuela, and Trump announces he will meet María Corina Machado “next week,” signaling continued U.S. engagement with the opposition[16].

Jan 17, 2026 – Venezuela frees additional opposition leaders, activists and journalists, Spain confirms five of its citizens (including Rocío San Miguel) are released, and human‑rights groups caution that the gesture may be limited rather than a broad amnesty[17].

Jan 22, 2026 – Lawyer Rafael Tudares, son‑in‑law of opposition candidate Edmundo González, is released after 380 days of “unjust and arbitrary” detention; Foro Penal verifies 151 releases since Jan 8, while Delcy Rodríguez, now acting president, receives praise from Trump for agreeing to transfer up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the United States[2].

Jan 25, 2026 – Foro Penal confirms a minimum of 80 political detainees are freed; Delcy Rodríguez claims more than 600 releases, a figure the NGO disputes, and she announces she will call UN High Commissioner Volker Türk on Jan 27 to request verification of the release lists[1].

Jan 27, 2026 – National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez reports 266 political prisoners have been released since the Jan 8 pledge, with at least 100 freed in the previous two days; Trump posts that he is “pleased” with the rapid releases, while Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello inflates the total to 808 and reiterates that “there are no political prisoners”[7].

Feb 14, 2026 – Families of detainees begin a hunger strike outside detention centers, protesting the slow pace of releases; Foro Penal counts 448 releases to date but notes hundreds remain behind bars[6].

Feb 19, 2026 – Venezuela’s National Assembly passes a general amnesty bill that could free hundreds of politicians, activists and lawyers detained for political reasons since 1999; Acting President Delcy Rodríguez is expected to sign the measure, and opposition lawmaker Nora Bracho says, “It’s not perfect, but it’s a great step forward”[6].

Feb 20, 2026 – Delcy Rodríguez prepares to sign the amnesty legislation, which defines eligibility, excludes certain offenses, and allows lawyers to act on behalf of exiled detainees, marking a significant reversal of the government’s long‑standing denial of political prisoners[6].