Spanish citizens released from Venezuela prison arrive in Madrid

Spanish citizens freed during a prisoner release in Venezuela arrive at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport

A bystander poses with members of the NGO "Refugiados sin Fronteras" Ilse Quijada and Yoli Suarez as they wait for the arrival of Venezuelan-Spanish human rights activist, Rocio San Miguel, and other Spanish citizens, who were freed during a prisoner release in Venezuela, at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Madrid, Spain,January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Source: REUTERS

Four Spanish nationals and a prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist arrived in Madrid on Friday a day after they were released from prison in Venezuela in the aftermath of the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday Venezuela was freeing a large number of political prisoners as a sign of "seeking peace" - though rights groups there say there have not been any large-scale releases so far.

The five had been reunited with friends and family, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said.

"Today is a happy day," the minister wrote on X. "I hope to see them soon and wish them a swift return to normal life."

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San Miguel, who was detained in February 2024 at Maiquetia International Airport near Caracas, is a lawyer and expert on security and Venezuela's military.

Two of the others - Andres Martínez Adasme and Jose María Basoa, both from the Basque Country - were detained in September 2024 accused of being members of Spanish intelligence plotting to kill Maduro, a claim the Spanish government has repeatedly denied.

The other freed were named as Ernesto Gorbe and Miguel Moreno.

Spain has called Venezuela's action a "positive step."

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters