Carrie Khan

Rodriguez exhibited flashes of defiance in her short speech to lawmakers, calling the U.S.

military attack on Venezuela a, quote, stain on our relations.

Rodriguez has the tough task now of not upsetting hardliners in her government while avoiding antagonizing President Trump.

She told lawmakers Venezuela can't fear diplomacy, but also added if she has to go to Washington, she will go on her own terms.

Carrie Khan, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

This is NPR News from Washington.

Relatives and friends of political prisoners continue waiting in front of the infamous prison known as El Acorde, waiting the promised releases.

The mountainous, multi-level building was designed to be a shopping center, but is known as the most feared detention facility in the country.

In announcing the release on Thursday, Venezuela's congressional leader, Jorge Rodriguez, the brother of the interim president, said the move should be considered a gesture seeking peace.

Those released so far include members of the political party led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado and five Spanish citizens.

Human rights groups decry the paltry number of releases and say more than 800 people

Political opponents remain imprisoned.

Carrie Khan, NPR News, Bogota, Colombia.

The main plaza in downtown Bogota is packed with protesters.

They're waving flags, Colombian flags, and shouting their support for Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

Many people are expressing indignation over the recent U.S.

attacks in neighboring Venezuela and the threats that President Trump has made against Colombia.

Their president, Gustavo Petro, here, he's called him a drug addict, a drug trafficker, and has even threatened that maybe he would be next to be removed from office.

We spoke to one man who called President Trump a psychopath, said there's no reason to dialogue with him, and they are just here to show their support for Petro.

I pray to the humor God.