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The events of January 13, 2026, marked a new chapter in the turbulent recent history of Venezuela.
Ten days after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and the installation of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president in Caracas, the country is tentatively moving along the narrow path of a transition.
Amid mass releases, disputes over figures, internal tensions within Chavismo, and diplomatic maneuvers from Washington, the Venezuelan political landscape is being reconfigured, while the population continues to live in fear, distrust, and economic precariousness.
Opaque figures and claims: Releases under scrutiny
The interim government announced the release of 116 political prisoners as part of a "gesture of national détente" within the framework of the transition process.
However, human rights organizations and the democratic opposition question that figure.
According to Foro Penal, only 56 effective releases have been confirmed so far.
The Democratic United Platform (PUD) and allies such as María Corina Machado raise that number to 73 or 76 confirmed cases, but continue to accuse the government of inflating the figures and politically manipulating the narrative of reconciliation.
NGOs also report that many of those released have received restrictive precautionary measures that prevent them from leaving the country, participating in politics, or communicating freely, which undermines the true impact of these releases.
"There can be no transition with political prisoners," emphasized Machado at a press conference, demanding a total and unconditional amnesty for the more than 700,000 Venezuelans who are still reportedly detained for political reasons, according to unofficial estimates.
Who has been released?
The lack of transparency is one of the most criticized points. Neither the government of Delcy Rodríguez nor the opposition platforms have released an official, complete, and verifiable list of those released from prison.
Some organizations have shared isolated names, and diplomatic sources have confirmed that at least one Hungarian citizen and three Spaniards were recently released. The three Spaniards, according to the Madrid government, will be able to decide whether to return or remain in Venezuela.
On the other hand, organizations of families of Colombian prisoners reported that 19 compatriots are still detained, suggesting that the release has been partial, discretionary, and lacking clear public criteria.
"The anguish of families multiplies when there is no official information, and each released name is a mystery," stated a spokesperson for Foro Penal.
Internal reorganization after Maduro's fall
The country continues to wobble politically since Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces on January 3, in an operation that, according to sources in Washington, had been planned for months with logistical support from sectors within chavismo itself.
Instead, Delcy Rodríguez took on the role of interim president with military backing and internal institutional control.
Nonetheless, Chavismo is going through a phase of fractures, with figures like Diosdado Cabello attempting to publicly distance themselves from the so-called "Cartel of the Suns", accused by the United States of drug trafficking and organized crime.
Tensions within the PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela) are escalating as its leaders face international pressure and internal distrust.
From the opposition, key meetings are being prepared in Washington, where leaders such as Edmundo González, Henrique Capriles, and Machado aim to outline a shared roadmap for participating in the eventual institutional redesign, the new elections, and a transition with guarantees.
United States, oil, and reconstruction
The role of the United States has become central. In recent hours, American media have revealed the involvement of Senator Marco Rubio and top security advisors in the strategy that led to Maduro's arrest and support for the new interim government.
The Trump administration has promised to attract up to $100 billion in foreign investments to rebuild the Venezuelan oil sector, contingent upon "deep reforms" in governance, the rule of law, and economic guarantees.
According to statements from the State Department, "the political transition in Venezuela must be accompanied by economic freedom and respect for human rights."
In parallel, international bodies such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have highlighted the persistence of repressive practices, the use of arbitrary detentions, and the structural deficit of justice. The IACHR urged that the releases be complete, unconditional, and accompanied by mechanisms for reparation for the victims.
Oil and economic expectations
One of the most notable announcements in Caracas was Venezuela's rapid return to the global oil market.
Rodríguez's government has started issuing special licenses to commercial firms like Vitol and Trafigura, which are already exporting crude accumulated at maritime terminals.
The plans of the new government include the urgent placement of up to 50 million barrels to achieve immediate liquidity, in a country where the bolívar continues to freefall and the population suffers from rampant inflation.
However, the expectation is that if international sanctions are lifted and political stabilization progresses, the Venezuelan economy could grow at double-digit rates this year.
However, experts warn that the oil infrastructure is severely deteriorated, with obsolete refineries, inactive wells, and an external debt exceeding 150 billion dollars.
The recovery will be long and will require not only investment but also structural changes in the economic model and the restoration of institutional trust.
A transition with lights and shadows
Venezuela is undergoing a complete reconfiguration. Maduro's fall has opened a new political cycle, yet the challenges remain colossal: political prisoners still without full freedom, institutional uncertainty, economic promises without a solid foundation, and a fractured civil society.
While the world watches and Washington sets the pace, Venezuelans continue to await clear signs of justice, truth, and reconstruction. The transition has begun, but fear has not yet dissipated.
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