Information
Venezuela has begun releasing prominent opposition figures, activists, and journalists in what authorities describe as a move to “seek peace,” following the recent capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by US forces on drug-trafficking charges. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez’s interim government freed several well-known detainees, including Enrique Márquez, a rival to Maduro in the disputed 2024 election, and Biagio Pilieri, a key opposition leader tied to Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado’s campaign. US President Donald Trump said the releases were made at Washington’s request and praised Venezuela’s transitional leadership, though the total number of prisoners freed remains unclear.
At the same time, Trump said he plans to meet Machado in Washington next week, despite publicly questioning her support within Venezuela, comments she downplayed while praising US actions as a historic step toward democratic transition. Trump is also moving to consolidate US influence over Venezuela’s vast oil resources, hosting major US oil executives to discuss rebuilding the country’s energy infrastructure. US officials have indicated Washington intends to control Venezuela’s oil industry for the long term, while Rodríguez has insisted her interim government remains in charge, saying negotiations with the United States over oil sales are ongoing.
Source: AFP, AP, Reuters
So What
This development is almost certainly a calculated effort by the interim president to appease President Trump and reduce the risk of further US military action. Nonetheless, it is likely that Trump will continue to pressure the current authorities to step aside in favor of a more US-aligned leadership or to agree to new, Western-monitored elections. In any scenario, as long as the US blockade remains in place, Venezuela will have limited leverage and is highly likely to comply with Washington’s demands.
Follow us to join the intelligence community!