Trump Meets Venezuela's Interim Leader, Hundreds of Political Prisoners Released

Days after meeting US President Donald Trump in New York. Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has released dozens of political prisoners, according to human rights groups. Among those released in the early hours of Saturday morning was Wilder Vasquez.

Who was handed a five-year sentence in 2018 over claims he was plotting to kill former President Nicolás Maduro.

Gonzalo Himiob, vice-president of rights group Foro Penal, said a significant number of political prisoners had been released on Saturday morning from several of Venezuela's detention centres. The releases come days after Rodriguez met with Trump at the UN General Assembly. There, the US President expressed support for Rodriguez as Maduro's successor.

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Miguel Castillo Cedeño, who rights groups say had been held in prison for nine years after being linked to the death of a police officer, was also released. The prisoner's release is seen as a significant development, highlighting the government's efforts to address human rights concerns.

Opposition and human rights groups have said Maduro's government used the detention of political prisoners to stamp out dissent and silence critics for years. The recent releases, however, have sparked hopes for a more democratic future in Venezuela.

Trump's meeting with Rodriguez at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday was seen as a significant development. With the US backing Rodriguez as Maduro's successor. The meeting was also seen as a signal of improved relations between the US and Venezuela.

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This comes after Trump's capture of Maduro earlier this year.

Rodriguez has reiterated that there "will be elections in Venezuela", without specifying. The opposition has renewed calls for free and fair elections, which would mark a significant step towards consolidating Rodriguez's leadership.

However, Venezuela's government has not made any statement concerning the latest releases, nor has it indicated whether they were the result of Rodriguez's conversation with the US President. The government's silence on the matter has raised concerns about its commitment to human rights and democratic reforms.