Several prominent Venezuelan opposition figures have been released from prison, marking one of the largest recent steps in Venezuela’s ongoing prisoner release campaign, families and rights groups say.
Among those freed on February 8, 2026, were opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa, former Voluntad Popular leader Freddy Superlano, and prominent lawyer Perkins Rocha. These releases were confirmed by their families and the human rights group Foro Penal.
Foro Penal said that at least 35 political prisoners were released on Sunday, and the organisation continues to check additional cases. It added that a total of 383 political prisoners have been freed since the government began this round of releases on January 8, 2026.
Why the Releases Matter
The freed opposition figures had been held on what supporters describe as politically motivated charges. Guanipa and Rocha were detained in 2024, and Superlano was arrested after the 2024 presidential election. All have denied the accusations against them.
The releases come amid growing international pressure, particularly from the United States, for Venezuela to improve human rights conditions and free political prisoners. At the same time, the Venezuelan government claims it has released many detainees — but rights groups have said the total number of political prisoners still held remains high.
Amnesty Law Under Debate
The Venezuelan National Assembly, controlled by the interim government, is also considering a proposed amnesty law that could clear the way for the release of many more prisoners. This law would grant clemency to people jailed for political protests or criticism of authorities, and has passed an initial vote in the legislature. It must be approved again before becoming law.
Reactions from Opposition Leaders
Opposition leaders and rights groups welcomed the releases but urged that more needs to be done. María Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, has long advocated for the freedom of all political prisoners and called the releases a step toward greater political openness in Venezuela.
Still More to Free
Despite the recent progress, many thousands of detainees remain behind bars, according to human rights organisations. Venezuelan authorities have not published a full list of freed prisoners, and the pace of releases has drawn mixed reactions from families and advocacy groups, some of whom say the process is too slow.
