Venezuela has released from prison citizens of Albania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Germany and other countries, several of these countries announced.
Their release is part of a wave of prison releases after the United States arrested ousted president Nicolas Maduro.
A Czech man who was released had been in Venezuelan prisons since 2024, when authorities in Venezuela accused him of planning to take part in a plot to assassinate Maduro and overthrow the government, media in the Czech Republic reported.
The Czech Foreign Ministry said last year that a Czech citizen had been arrested without “any indictment and without a fair trial.” The Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal said he was arrested for political reasons.
Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said he was released along with other prisoners from Albania, Ireland, Romania, Germany, Ukraine and the Netherlands.
It is still unknown how many Albanians have been released from prisons in Venezuela and there has been no official reaction to this issue.
"After several weeks of negotiations, we have achieved his release," Macinka said during a press conference, adding that the Czech Republic is ready to improve diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote on X that three German citizens had been released, calling it a "gesture towards more constructive relations."
The Netherlands said three of its citizens had been released, while Hungary announced the release of one of its citizens who had been on a research vessel.
Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, and US President Donald Trump have stated that a large number of prisoners will be released after the US captured Maduro in early January.
Venezuela said this week that more than 400 people had been released, but human rights groups have said the number released is lower.Radio Free Europe/
