John Otis

Freedom for political detainees has long been a key demand of the Venezuelan opposition.

Many have been held for years and subjected to torture and other cruel treatment.

In what it calls a move to promote national unity, the new Venezuelan government is starting to free these detainees.

Alfredo Romero heads Foro Penal, a Venezuelan legal aid group that works on behalf of political prisoners.

Some new releases are happening.

However, yeah, we are worried that it's been so slow.

Romero points out that more than 700 remain behind bars.

For NPR News, I'm John Otis.

In a joint army police operation near Colombia's border with Venezuela, authorities targeted Giovanni San Vicente, who they described as the main leader of Tren de Aragua.

Colombia's defense ministry said San Vicente was killed during an exchange of gunfire with troops.

This shows the iron commitment.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Juan Camilo Maso said the operation shows Colombia's strong commitment to fighting terrorism.

Trenaragua was formed in a Venezuelan prison in 2014, but has since branched out to other Latin American countries.

President Trump accuses the group of sending tons of cocaine into the U.S.

and has been pressuring Venezuela and Colombia to crack down on the gang.

For NPR News, I'm John Otis in Bogota, Colombia.

In recent months, the U.S.

has sent warships to the Caribbean Sea, blown up alleged drug trafficking boats from Venezuela, and has tried to block Venezuelan tankers from exporting oil.

All this is part of a campaign by the Trump administration to remove Maduro from power.

But in an interview broadcast on Venezuelan state TV, Maduro called for a fresh start.