Trump is trying to have a say in Venezuela’s domestic policy.Image: keystone
May 12, 2026, 10:50 p.mMay 12, 2026, 11:14 p.m
US President Donald Trump has promised to release all political prisoners in Venezuela. “We will get them all out,” the Republican told reporters in Washington before his departure for China. Despite the US military operation in January to arrest authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro, hundreds of government critics remain imprisoned in the South American country, according to human rights activists.
Maduro and his wife were arrested in the capital Caracas earlier this year and flown to New York. They are to be tried there for drug smuggling. Former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is now in power as acting president – and is working with Washington on, among other things, oil issues. Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world.
Trump praises the “great work” of the current president
“Delcy is doing a great job,” said Trump. The people in Venezuela are enthusiastic about the change in the country.
The Venezuelan opposition is actually calling for a real change of power in the country with around 29 million inhabitants and the release of all political prisoners. According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, more than 600 political prisoners have been released since January. However, more than 450 are still in custody. There is currently no timetable for free elections to democratize the country. (sda/dpa)