Delcy Rodríguez, the interim President of Venezuela, announced that her administration will continue to release prisoners detained during Nicolás Maduro's presidency, describing this initiative as a "new political moment" for the country. This announcement follows the release of at least four U.S. citizens, marking the first known instance of American prisoners being freed since Maduro's ousting in a U.S. military operation earlier this month. Rodríguez stated that the process of releasing detainees is ongoing, with approximately 800 prisoners, including political leaders and lawyers, still in detention according to the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal.

Rodríguez claimed that her government has released 212 detainees, although human rights organizations report lower figures. She emphasized that these releases are not a result of U.S. pressure but rather a continuation of Maduro's earlier actions. The criteria for releases will be based on evaluations of crimes related to the constitutional order, with a warning against acts of violence and hatred. The coordination of these releases will be managed by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

In a related context, the U.S. military conducted an operation in Venezuela aimed at the abduction of Maduro, which was condemned by Colombian President Gustavo Petro as an act of aggression against Venezuela's sovereignty. This military action has escalated tensions between the U.S. and Colombia, with Petro labeling the U.S. actions as 'murder' and calling for nationwide rallies in Colombia to defend national sovereignty. He has expressed a desire for dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump to avoid further conflict.

The U.S. military's actions have raised concerns about potential violence and instability in the region, with Petro criticizing the militaristic approach as detrimental to humanitarian efforts and social equity. The geopolitical landscape remains precarious as both the U.S. and Colombia navigate the implications of militarized foreign policy.

In a separate development, María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, presented her Nobel medal to Trump during a private meeting at the White House. This meeting occurred after the U.S. seizure of Maduro, and while Machado expressed confidence in Trump's support for her cause, it remains unclear whether he accepted the medal. Trump has engaged with Rodríguez, the acting head of state, rather than publicly endorsing Machado, who claims to have won the 2024 elections amid controversy.

Machado's visit included meetings with U.S. senators, where she sought to persuade Trump that supporting Rodríguez's interim government was a misstep. The Trump administration has also moved to reshape Venezuela's oil sector, recently announcing a $500 million sale of Venezuelan oil, indicating a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the country's resources.