The Venezuelan government has begun releasing detainees described by human rights groups as political prisoners, a move officials say is intended as a gesture of goodwill, according to a BBC report.

Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that five Spanish nationals have been freed. Among them is well-known Venezuelan-Spanish human rights activist Rocío San Miguel, according to her family, speaking to US media.

The releases follow dramatic developments involving the United States and President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend, which have sharply increased international pressure on Caracas.

Washington has long demanded the release of political prisoners in Venezuela, particularly during periods of political unrest, elections, or mass protests.

Appearing on state television, Jorge Rodríguez — head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim president Delcy Rodríguez — said that “a significant number” of detainees would be released immediately. He did not provide names or figures.

Human rights organisations estimate that hundreds of political prisoners remain in Venezuelan jails, with only a small number confirmed to have been released so far.

Rodríguez said the move was being taken in the interests of what he called “national unity and peaceful coexistence.”

Rocío San Miguel, a vocal critic of Maduro and a defence expert, was the first prisoner confirmed to be freed. Her family told the New York Times that she was taken to the Spanish embassy in Caracas.

Arrested in 2024, she was accused of being involved in a plot to kill the then-president and faced charges of treason, conspiracy and terrorism. Her arrest shocked human rights activists and, because her whereabouts were unknown, was labelled as potential “enforced disappearance” by the UN Human Rights Office.

Venezuelan human rights organisations – some of which have members or their founders in jail – welcomed the news with caution.

Despite being a key lieutenant of Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez’s interim administration has appeared willing to co-operate with the US since it took its leader and made