Venezuela Frees 131 More Prisoners Under Post-Maduro Reconciliation Program

August 15, 2026 — Venezuela's interim government announced the release of 131 additional people held under the 'Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence,' bringing the total freed since January 3 to over 1,046. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the release 'a crucial step for the nation's reconciliation process.' Rights group Foro Penal confirmed at least 40 of those freed were political prisoners, including Emirlendris Benitez, jailed over an alleged 2018 drone attack on then-president Maduro and documented as having been tortured in detention. The releases coincide with the US-brokered government-opposition transition talks that concluded their first round on August 12; Foro Penal estimates roughly 391 political prisoners remain incarcerated.