Four Spaniards and Rights Activist Freed from Venezuelan Prison Arrive in Madrid

Release of Spanish Nationals from Venezuelan Detention

MADRID, Jan 9 (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.

Details of the Release

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.

Reactions from Spanish Officials

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

Background on the Detained Individuals

"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."

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."

(Reporting by Susana Vera, Guillermo Martinez; writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Andrew Heavens)