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Government of Venezuela Asks UN for Release of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores Amid International and Internal Pressures. Amnesty Summarizes 65 Released in Three Days While Organizations Denounce Limits of the Law.
The government of Venezuela requested the immediate release of the deposed president Nicolás Maduro and the first lady Cilia Flores before the United Nations. The request was made on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Geneva, during a session of the UN Human Rights Council, according to information from Jovem Pan. In parallel, the Executive disclosed advancements in the general amnesty signed on February 19, with releases and promises of review of old cases.
Maduro was captured by the United States on January 3, in an operation that included bombings in Caracas and surrounding areas, according to the same report. Both Maduro and Flores face trial for drug trafficking in New York, where the former president declared himself a “prisoner of war”. The episode altered the balance of power in the country and accelerated political and judicial measures.
After the attack, Delcy Rodríguez assumed power and initiated an institutional redesign, which included releases of political prisoners and the announcement of the closure of the Helicoide prison. The strategy occurs under pressure from Washington and from human rights entities, which demand transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for international standards.
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Request at the UN and International Context, What Yván Gil Said in Geneva
Chancellor Yván Gil stated that Venezuela demands the “immediate release” of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores by the US government. In a speech in Geneva, he asserted that human rights “cannot be instruments of political war” and defended the end of sanctions against the country, according to Jovem Pan.
Gil declared that Venezuela “is not here to evade responsibilities” and reiterated its commitment to the strengthening of institutions. The statement seeks diplomatic backing amid international criticism and a domestic crisis of accelerated transformation.
US Operation on January 3 and Drug Trafficking Case in New York
According to Jovem Pan, Maduro was detained on January 3 by US forces in an action that involved bombings in Caracas and nearby areas. The capture also involved the detention of Cilia Flores, bringing the case to the US judicial system.
Maduro and his wife face charges for drug trafficking in New York, where the former president referred to himself as a “prisoner of war”. The case adds tension to an already critical situation for Venezuelan politics and amplifies the narrative dispute on the international stage.
International law experts remind that military actions and transnational trials often generate jurisdiction disputes and debates on sovereignty. In this environment, the appeal to the UN becomes a central piece in Caracas’ strategy to seek diplomatic pressure and mediation.
Amnesty of February 19 and Updated Numbers, Government and Civil Society Balances
The general amnesty declared on February 19 has been producing measurable effects. The NGO Foro Penal recorded 65 releases in three days, with 7 on Friday, 15 on Saturday, and 43 on Sunday, according to director Gonzalo Himiob, who stated he is still verifying other cases.
In the Legislative Assembly, the president of Parliament, Jorge Rodríguez, informed that 1,500 people have already requested amnesty in court. He also stated that around 11,000 citizens on probation over the past 27 years of Chavism would gain full freedom, paving the way for a possible easing of the prison system.
Limitations of the Law and Tension in Prisons, Hunger Strike in Rodeo I and Protests
Human rights entities classified the amnesty as insufficient and exclusive. The main criticism is that the measure does not cover cases related to military personnel, precisely where there is a high concentration of detainees, citing the prison of Rodeo I.
According to Jovem Pan, about 200 inmates began a hunger strike in Rodeo I over the weekend. Outside, family members mixed worry and relief with the first releases, in an atmosphere of surveillance and expectation.
Inside the prison, shouts of “Freedom!”, “Let’s All Get Out!”, and “Rodeo I is on hunger strike!” echoed. The Argentine gendarme Nahuel Agustín Gallo, accused of “terrorism” and conspiracy, joined the protest, increasing the episode’s international repercussion.
The Red Cross gained access on Sunday, February 22, to several penitentiaries, including El Rodeo, to assess the conditions of the inmates. The humanitarian presence is seen as a significant step for independent monitoring and adjustments in the implementation of the amnesty.
Changes After the Attack, Delcy Rodríguez Assumes and Revises Relationship with Donald Trump
After the US operation, Delcy Rodríguez formally took command of the country and sought to reduce tension with President Donald Trump, Jovem Pan reported. Among the moves, is the decision to cede control of the oil industry, a sensitive measure in a country dependent on the energy sector.
These changes go hand in hand with the process of releasing political prisoners and attempts to re-establish diplomatic bridges. The internal landscape, however, remains volatile, with pressures from NGOs, family members of detainees, and international actors for a broader reach of the amnesty.
Closure of Helicoide and Conversion Plan, Deadlines and Announced Works
The government determined the closure of the Helicoide prison, historically targeted for torture allegations. In parallel, it announced the refurbishment of the complex to transform it into a social and sports center for police, while activists advocate for its conversion into a memorial museum.
The Minister of Public Works, Juan José Ramírez, stated in a video posted on X that the project started “immediately” and already involves community consultations and engineering studies. “In less than a month, the project has been approved and is now in implementation phase“, he said.
The works at Helicoide symbolize an attempt at institutional turnaround and response to past allegations. The effectiveness of the plan, however, will depend on independent oversight, social participation, and the extent of the judicial reviews promised.
And now the discussion is divided between those who see the amnesty and the closure of Helicoide as necessary steps and those who perceive limitations and selectivity in the application of the law. Leave your comment, do you agree that the measures meet the demands for justice or do you believe that there is still a lack of inclusiveness and transparency to end the allegations of violations in the country?
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