January 14, 2026 | 11:04 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Multiple Americans who were detained in Venezuela have been released, the Trump Administration said late on Tuesday, hailing the move by the nation's interim leader.
"We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela. This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities," the State Department said.
It was not immediately clear how many American detainees were released.
The Associated Press news agency reported that four Americans were released as a group on Tuesday and one was quietly released on Monday, citing an unnamed source.
What prompted the release?
The move comes after US forces kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a nighttime raid and brought him to the US to face trial.
Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela's national assembly and brother of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, had said last week that a "significant number" of Venezuelan and foreign prisoners in the country would be released as a gesture to "seek peace" after Maduro's capture.
The gesture was lauded by US President Donald Trump who said he would call off a second wave of strikes in response. The US has long made freeing its nationals overseas a priority, and even secured freedom for some in a deal with Maduro last year.
Many of the political prisoners — Venezuelan and foreign — were jailed for taking part in protests over the 2024 election results, which saw Maduro declared the victor despite widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
Read: Trump to Meet With Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump to Meet With Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado
18 jam lalu
After winning the Nobel Peace Prize Trump coveted and being sidelined from post-Maduro Venezuela, Machado will now meet the U.S. President.
Trump Posts Himself as Venezuela's Acting President on Truth Social
1 hari lalu
US President Donald Trump posted a Wikipedia-style screenshot declaring himself "Acting President of Venezuela."
Cuba Defiant in Face of "Criminal" US Threats
1 hari lalu
After abducting the leader of Venezuela, the US is now threatening Cuba.
US Attempts to Paint Nicolas Maduro as a Drug Baron
2 hari lalu
Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro crushed opposition and rigged elections, and now the U.S. accuses him of drug trafficking
World's Gold and Precious Metals Price Outlook for Next Week
2 hari lalu
According to observers, if the world gold price falls, it will likely drop to between US$4,418 and US$4,472 per troy ounce by next Monday.
Venezuela Launches Talks with US to Restore Ties
3 hari lalu
US officials are visiting Venezuela days after US forces captured former President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump: I Don't Need International Law!
4 hari lalu
International law is a set of rules and norms that govern relations between states. Donald Trump dismisses the concept.
Trump: US to Gain Trillions from Venezuelan Oil Deals
4 hari lalu
President Donald Trump claims the US will gain trillions from Venezuelan oil sales.
Top 10 Countries with Largest Oil Reserves: Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and More
4 hari lalu
Find out the 10 countries with the largest oil reserves, exploring how oil wealth continues to shape global energy markets and geopolitics.
Venezuela's State Oil Company in Talks with US for Crude Oil Sales
4 hari lalu
Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, is in bilateral trade negotiations with the US for crude oil sales.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4548967/original/094336900_1692782124-tanaphong-toochinda-FEhFnQdLYyM-unsplash.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5327418/original/014991800_1756180726-alexandr-podvalny-TciuHvwoK0k-unsplash.jpg)