Venezuelan Opposition Leader's Son Urges U.S. to Maintain Pressure Amid Limited Prisoner Releases

Ramón Guanipa, son of detained Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain pressure on Venezuela's government, expressing concern over the limited number of political prisoners released to date. Despite the government's recent announcement to free detainees as a goodwill gesture, only about 40 out of more than 800 political prisoners have reportedly been released.

On January 8, 2026, Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela's National Assembly, announced the release of a "significant number" of prisoners, including both Venezuelan citizens and foreigners, as a unilateral gesture to consolidate peace. Among those freed were opposition figures such as Enrique Márquez and human rights lawyer Rocío San Miguel. Spain's Foreign Ministry confirmed the release of five Spanish nationals, including San Miguel, who were preparing to return to Spain with assistance from the embassy in Caracas.

President Trump acknowledged the releases, stating that the Venezuelan authorities had "started the process, in a BIG WAY." However, Ramón Guanipa cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that the number of releases remains insufficient. He expressed gratitude for President Trump's support but warned that the situation is not progressing as it should.

Juan Pablo Guanipa, a close ally of opposition leader María Corina Machado, was arrested in May 2025 after being accused of terrorism and treason for challenging the 2024 presidential election results. The United Nations criticized the election for lacking transparency and integrity, and the U.S. did not recognize Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

The Venezuelan government has not commented on the pace of the releases, and the attorney general has declined interview requests. The developments are being viewed as a test of U.S. influence in Venezuela following the removal of Maduro. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the U.S. administration but has publicly condemned any form of U.S. intervention.