Trump says Venezuela is releasing political prisoners after U.S. operation

President Trump said Venezuela has begun releasing political prisoners following last week's U.S. operation; at least 18 prisoners were reported freed and Nicolás Maduro and his wife were transported to the United States to face federal charges.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that Venezuela has begun releasing political prisoners following a U.S. operation last week. He credited U.S. involvement and made a direct comment aimed at those being released. The operation led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were transported to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges. Officials reported that at least 18 political prisoners had been freed as of Saturday. Key facts: - Trump wrote on Truth Social that Venezuela had started releasing political prisoners and credited U.S. involvement. - At least 18 political prisoners were reported freed as of Saturday, according to Reuters. - Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were captured during the U.S. operation and transported to the United States to face federal charges. - The administration has said it intends to be temporarily involved in Venezuela's security and political transition, according to the report. Summary: The reports describe releases of political prisoners and the transport of Venezuela's leader and his wife to the U.S. for federal prosecution. Details on the full scope of releases and further steps in Venezuela's transition are undetermined at this time; legal proceedings for Maduro and Flores in U.S. courts are the next stated procedural step.