Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Albert Ramdin met in Washington to address the pathways for Venezuela to 'advance toward stability, democracy, and prosperity' following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 by U.S. forces. In a statement, Machado reaffirmed her commitment and determination to advance Venezuela's transition with solid pillars of justice, solidarity, prosperity, and freedom for all. She promised that a 'free Venezuela' will rejoin the Inter-American System, the set of institutions and norms created within the framework of the OAS and abandoned by Chavismo. Ramdin reaffirmed to Machado that the 'OAS is ready to provide its support for the benefit of the Venezuelan people' and that they will continue to 'closely monitor events, in coordination with leaders from across the region, to evaluate the next steps.' The OAS Secretary General also commented on the issue of political prisoners, one of the most delicate matters in Venezuela at this time, and appealed to Venezuelan authorities to 'facilitate, as soon as possible, the full release of all persons arbitrarily detained.' Machado also stated that Chavismo 'manipulates' and has not released most of the people imprisoned for their ideas in Venezuela. According to the government of Delcy Rodríguez, over 400 prisoners have been released in recent weeks, although no list has been provided.
