THE FOLLOW UP
STATEMENT

U.S. secretary says Venezuela is releasing political prisoners, reportedly up to 2,000, and some are reentering political life

False

Credible evidence contradicts the statement. Learn more in Methodology.

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Independent reporting, government lists, or NGO documentation confirming releases of political prisoners and providing counts (including whether the total is as high as ~2,000) and evidence some released individuals are participating in political activities.

Source summary
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 28, 2026, focusing on U.S. policy after the removal of Nicolás Maduro. He said U.S. strategy has three goals—stability, recovery, and a democratic, prosperous Venezuela—and described a short-term mechanism allowing quarantined, sanctioned Venezuelan oil to be sold at market prices with proceeds deposited under U.S. oversight for the Venezuelan people. Rubio highlighted steps toward normalizing the oil industry (including a new hydrocarbon law), the replacement of Russian diluent with U.S. supply, and the gradual release of political prisoners.
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Latest fact check

Credible sources indicate that the number of political prisoners released in Venezuela by mid-January 2026 was in the low hundreds to about a thousand at most, not up to 2,000. Reports from UN investigators and major outlets describe releases as gradual and far from comprehensive, with many detainees remaining. The claim that up to 2,000 were released is not corroborated by the best available evidence as of January 2026, making the statement inaccurate.

Sources
13 days
Next scheduled update: Feb 28, 2026
13 days

Timeline

  1. Scheduled follow-up · Feb 28, 2026
  2. Completion due · Feb 28, 2026
  3. Update · Jan 29, 2026, 01:41 AMFalse
    Credible sources indicate that the number of political prisoners released in Venezuela by mid-January 2026 was in the low hundreds to about a thousand at most, not up to 2,000. Reports from UN investigators and major outlets describe releases as gradual and far from comprehensive, with many detainees remaining. The claim that up to 2,000 were released is not corroborated by the best available evidence as of January 2026, making the statement inaccurate.
  4. Original article · Jan 28, 2026
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