The US Embassy in Caracas confirmed on 30/1 via social media that the interim government had released all US citizens detained in Venezuela. "We are pleased to confirm that the interim government has released all US citizens detained in Venezuela", the embassy stated.

This announcement came hours after the release of Arturo Gallino Rullier, a Peruvian-American dual national. He was arrested in Venezuela last November.

Tensions between Venezuela and the US, strained for decades, have eased since US special forces raided Caracas and arrested President Nicolas Maduro, leading to a few prisoner releases.

Relatives call for the freedom of prisoners in Caracas, Venezuela, on 21/1. Photo: *Reuters*.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has also moved to open Venezuela's oil industry to foreign investment and discussed developing relations with the US, proposing a cooperation program based on dialogue.

Ms. Rodriguez stated that the Venezuelan government maintains contact "based on respect and courtesy" with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, she emphasized that Caracas does not accept orders from external powers and "is not under Washington's guardianship".

Washington imposed sanctions on Caracas starting in 2019 following Mr. Maduro's re-election. Since his arrest, the US and Venezuela's interim government have reached several agreements, including oil cooperation valued at approximately two billion USD and a 100 billion USD reconstruction plan for the industry.