Delcy Rodríguez, the interim President of Venezuela, announced the continuation of prisoner releases initiated during the tenure of former President Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez described this as a "new political moment" for Venezuela, following 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 individuals, including political leaders and lawyers, still in detention according to the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal. While she claimed that her government has released 212 detainees, human rights organizations have reported lower figures. Rodríguez emphasized that these releases are not a result of U.S. pressure but rather a continuation of Maduro's earlier actions, including the release of 194 detainees in December. Decisions regarding the releases will be based on evaluations of crimes related to the constitutional order, with a warning against acts of violence and hatred.

In a related context, the U.S. military conducted an operation in Venezuela aimed at the abduction of Nicolás Maduro, which was condemned by Colombian President Gustavo Petro as an act of aggression against Venezuela's sovereignty. This incident has escalated tensions between the U.S. and Colombia, with Petro labeling the U.S. actions as "murder" and calling for nationwide rallies to defend national sovereignty. He 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, with both the U.S. and Colombia navigating the implications of militarized foreign policy.

In another development, María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, presented her Nobel medal to President 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 if he accepted the medal. Trump has engaged more with Rodríguez, the acting head of state, rather than 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 to support her coalition for Venezuela's transition.

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.