WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela on Tuesday started freeing jailed Americans, a US official said, hailing the move by the country's interim leadership following Washington's forced ouster of ex-president Nicolas Maduro.

"We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela. This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities," a State Department official said on condition of anonymity.

The official did not immediately provide details on the release of prisoners or say how many were being freed, other than that there was more than one.

Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's vice president who has become acting president, ordered the release of prisoners in the wake of the US attack.

President Donald Trump hailed the gesture, saying that he in response called off a second wave of strikes.

Many were jailed for taking part in protests over 2024 elections, in which Maduro was declared the victor despite widespread allegations of vote-rigging.

Venezuela earlier freed Spanish and Italian citizens from its jails.

The United States has long made freeing its nationals overseas a major priority, and secured freedom for some in a deal with Maduro last year.