Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez, center, smiles flanked by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, right, and National Assembly President, her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, as they prepare ot make a statement in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)2026-01-14T18:14:18Z CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Venezuelas acting President Delcy Rodrguez on Wednesday vowed to continue releasing prisoners detained under former President Nicols Maduro during her first press conference since Maduro was ousted by the United States earlier this month.Rodrguez served as Maduros vice president since 2018, running Venezuelas feared intelligence service and managing its crucial oil industry. A 56-year-old lawyer and politician, Rodrguez was sworn in as interim president two days after the Trump administration snatched Maduro from his fortified compound and claimed the U.S. would be calling the shots in Venezuela.Addressing journalists from a podium at the presidential palace, Rodrguez said the process of releasing prisoners had begun under Maduro and has not yet concluded.That process remains open, she said, adding that the releases sent a message that Venezuela was opening to a new political moment. Despite sanctioning her for human rights violations during his first term, President Donald Trump enlisted Rodrguez to help secure U.S. control over Venezuelas oil sales. To ensure the former Maduro loyalist does his bidding, he threatened Rodrguez with a situation probably worse than Maduro, who faces federal charges of drug-trafficking from a Brooklyn jail.