The United States and Venezuela have both released high-profile prisoners.
But the countries have not confirmed a prisoner exchange.
Venezuela has released 21 prisoners who were imprisoned for political reasons, according to the human rights organization Coalition for Human Rights and Democracy.
Eight of the detainees were American citizens. Among them were former US soldiers Airan Berry and Luke Alexander Denman, who gained attention for allegedly trying to invade Venezuela in 2020 and overthrow President Nicolás Maduro. Both served 20-year prison sentences.
The release came after some rapprochements were made between the United States and Venezuela. The strained relations have been due, among other things, to Maduro’s authoritarian rule.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference that the US is targeting the release of political prisoners in Venezuela.
But the announcement from Caracas came hours after the United States released businessman Alexander Saab, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for, among other things, money laundering.
The White House has chosen not to comment on a possible prisoner exchange. Nor has Venezuela’s presidential office in Miraflores confirmed that any prisoner exchange took place.