The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Miami, Florida, January 26, 2026
Dear Mr. President:
We write to you on behalf of the Organization of Politically Persecuted Venezuelans in Exile (VEPPEX), an entity dedicated to the defense of human rights and the promotion of democracy in Venezuela. We represent thousands of Venezuelans exiled due to political persecution, and we express our deep gratitude for your historic commitment to freedom and justice in our region, as well as for your current leadership in support of a democratic Venezuela.
We respectfully request your decisive intervention to achieve the immediate and unconditional release of all Venezuelan political prisoners. Hundreds of dissidents, activists, journalists, military personnel, police officers, and ordinary citizens remain imprisoned under the regime, subjected to torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, solely for exercising their right to dissent and defend democracy.
Regrettably, we feel that Delcy Rodríguez is attempting to mock the Venezuelan people and the international community regarding the issue of political prisoners’ freedom. Despite official announcements claiming hundreds of releases, independent human rights organizations—such as Foro Penal—verify significantly lower figures and document that many of these so-called “liberations” are in fact conditional releases, accompanied by gag orders, permanent surveillance, threats of re-arrest, and even pending criminal proceedings. This practice does not constitute genuine freedom; rather, it is a maneuver of simulation and deception that prolongs the suffering of families and undermines trust in any genuine transition process.
In addition, we ask that you order a temporary halt to the deportation of Venezuelans from the United States to Venezuela for a period of one year or until a new government is elected through truly democratic elections. Our compatriots who have fled political persecution, violence, and the humanitarian crisis face grave risks—including arbitrary detention, torture, or worse—if returned in the current context. This urgent humanitarian measure would allow time to evaluate protection and regularization options, consistent with the values of compassion and freedom that define the United States, while ensuring that returns do not occur under an illegitimate or transitional authority lacking full democratic legitimacy.
It is essential that ordinary citizens feel the real benefits of a democratic transition in Venezuela. The full release of all political prisoners—without conditions or mockery—and the suspension of deportations would send a clear message of hope and tangible change. Without these concrete gestures, the transition risks being perceived as distant and abstract, disconnected from the daily needs of millions of Venezuelans both inside the country and in exile, and could erode popular support for efforts to restore democracy.
We place full trust in your visionary leadership to drive these firm and necessary actions, which would not only help Venezuela but also reaffirm the United States’ role as a defender of democracy and human rights in the hemisphere. We remain at your complete disposal to provide additional information, coordinate meetings, or support any initiative in this direction.
Respectfully,
José Antonio Colina
President
Organization of Politically Persecuted Venezuelans in Exile (VEPPEX)
In God We Trust