Venezuela: Opposition Demands Release of Political Prisoners After Maduro Capture

Following the recent detention of Nicolás Maduro, the opposition in Venezuela is urgently calling for the release of all political prisoners. The situation underscores the ongoing political crisis in the South American nation and its potential implications for regional stability.

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U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday, January 7, that his country could potentially govern Venezuela and extract oil from its vast reserves for years to come. He also insisted that the interim government – comprised of former officials loyal to the now-imprisoned Maduro – is not “giving everything we consider necessary.”

“Only time will tell,” Trump responded in an interview with The New York Times when asked about the timeframe for potential U.S. oversight of the South American nation.

The U.S. President did not provide a specific date for possible elections in Venezuela.

Follow live updates on the situation in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd.

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 07:36

  Majority Opposition in Venezuela Deems Release of Political Prisoners Urgent

  Table of Contents

  • Majority Opposition in Venezuela Deems Release of Political Prisoners Urgent
  • Russia Protests Interception of Tanker ‘Marinera’
  • Diosdado Cabello Refers to Injuries Sustained by Maduro and Cilia Flores
  • Petro Spoke with Delcy Rodríguez
  • Diosdado Cabello Says 100 Dead in U.S. Attack
  • Colombian Ambassador to U.S. Speaks After Trump-Petro Call
  • María Corina Machado Considers Delcy Rodríguez’s Mandate ‘Absolutely Temporary’
  • Two Journalists Detained and Subjected to ‘Psychological Torture’ in Venezuela Were Deported

  The majority opposition in Venezuela, grouped within the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), considered this Wednesday the immediate release of “all political prisoners” as urgent.

  They also stated on X that “the cessation of repression and the disarmament of irregular groups that threaten social coexistence” are also “urgent actions requiring immediate implementation, as they depend solely on the order of those responsible.”

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 07:34

  Russia Protests Interception of Tanker ‘Marinera’

  Russia protested Wednesday the interception by the U.S. Coast Guard of the Russian-flagged tanker ‘Marinera’ in the North Atlantic, stating that this “illegal action” only increases tensions in the region.

  “The Russian Foreign Ministry expresses its extreme concern regarding the illegal armed action of U.S. forces against the tanker ‘Marinera’,” the Russian diplomatic service stated in a press release published on its official website.

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 06:56

  Diosdado Cabello Refers to Injuries Sustained by Maduro and Cilia Flores

  Diosdado Cabello, the Interior Minister of the Venezuelan regime, referred to the injuries sustained by Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores on the day of their capture.

  “Cilia was injured in the head and in a blow to the body, (and) brother Nicolás was injured in the leg. Fortunately, they are improving from that ailment,” he said on his television program.

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 06:04

  Petro Spoke with Delcy Rodríguez

  President Gustavo Petro spoke with Delcy Rodríguez, the new head of the Venezuelan regime, two days ago, proposing a tripartite dialogue with the United States to stabilize Venezuelan society and prevent an outbreak of violence following Washington’s action.

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 06:03

  Diosdado Cabello Says 100 Dead in U.S. Attack

  The Chavista number two, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, asserted this Wednesday that the attack carried out by the United States has left “so far” one hundred dead and “a similar number of wounded.”

  According to Diosdado, those killed included “people who had nothing to do with a conflict,” including “civilians, women who were in their homes.”

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 06:00

  Colombian Ambassador to U.S. Speaks After Trump-Petro Call

  Colombian Ambassador to the United States, Daniel García-Peña, highlighted this Wednesday in an interview with Efe the “diplomatic achievement” represented by the conversation between Presidents Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro.

  “It was a very cordial conversation. It was important for President Trump to hear directly from President Petro, particularly on the central issue discussed, which was the fight against drug trafficking,” he said.

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 05:57

  María Corina Machado Considers Delcy Rodríguez’s Mandate ‘Absolutely Temporary’

  María Corina Machado asserted this Wednesday that Delcy Rodríguez’s period as acting president of Venezuela is “absolutely temporary” and insisted that her country is in a process towards “transition.”

• Jan 08.01.2026 – 02:29

  Two Journalists Detained and Subjected to ‘Psychological Torture’ in Venezuela Were Deported

  Following a report by the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) of Venezuela regarding the disappearance of two journalists attempting to cross the border with Colombia, Venezuelan authorities reportedly deported them.

  However, according to the same entity, “They were subjected to what they described as ‘psychological torture,’ received threats, and had their equipment and phones reviewed and emptied.”

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