Venezuela has released 39 individuals identified as political prisoners after a second round of negotiations between representatives of the country's interim government and opposition figures, officials said.
The transfers came in the wake of talks intended to defuse the long-running political confrontation. Details about the identities of those released, the locations of their detentions, and any legal conditions attached to their freedom were not immediately disclosed.
The exchange follows a series of dialogues aimed at narrowing differences between rival Venezuelan political forces and building confidence ahead of further negotiations. Observers say such releases are often used as confidence-building measures in attempts to restart broader talks on governance and political arrangements.
Both domestic and international scrutiny is likely to follow the move, with human rights groups, foreign governments and negotiators watching for whether the releases lead to more substantive agreements or further steps to address Venezuela's political crisis. Statements from the negotiating parties and independent verification of the prisoners' status were expected but had not been published at the time of the report.