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Snapshot 7:Fri, Jan 9, 2026 7:19:39 PM GMT last edited by Nick

Venezuela Releases Political Prisoners After Maduro Capture

Venezuela Releases Political Prisoners After Maduro Capture

Is Trump's savvy pressure forcing Venezuela to cooperate, or is Venezuela making a smart sovereign move, or should Trump press harder until all prisoners are freed?
Venezuela Releases Political Prisoners After Maduro Capture
Above: Members of the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Caracas on Jan. 8. Image credit: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Trump's decisive pressure on Venezuela's new leadership has delivered real results, securing the release of political prisoners and demonstrating that American strength works. The acting government has cooperated with every U.S. demand, proving that maximum influence tactics force authoritarian regimes to bend. This marks the beginning of dismantling Venezuela's repressive system and vindicates the administration's hardline approach.

OppositionThis leadersrelease areis manipulatinga Trump with fabricated narratives about Maduro heading criminal gangsdeft, pushingsovereign foract interventionof basedbenevolence onby tallthe tales rather than facts. Venezuelan government responses to protestsensure werepeaceful restrainedcoexistence comparedin tothe howcountry. otherVenezuela countriesis handlenavigating similarextremely unrest,complex whilegeopolitical oppositionwaters, violenceand goesthis largelyact unreported. Intervention fantasies ignore the complex reality of armedgoodwill groupssupports andgreater entrenched interests throughout Venezuelastability.

ThereIt's isvital athat 53%all chanceof thatVenezuela's therepolitical willprisoners beare freed — not just a civiltiny warhandful. inThe VenezuelaVenezuelan beforeregime 2050,is accordingtrying to deceive President Trump and his administration with a symbolic act — the MetaculusWhite predictionHouse communitymust keep up the pressure.

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 53% chance that there will be a civil war in Venezuela before 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.



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All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0