Members of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) and Bolivarian National Police (PNB) attempted to remove a banner displaying political prisoners at the Tamanaco Gate of Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) in Caracas on January 21, 2026, witnesses reported via clippve on X during the 4:18 p.m. to 7:17 p.m. UTC window. The banner, erected by UCV students in solidarity with political detainees including students, professors and families following a National Assembly announcement, prompted the security forces' action, according to clippve. Students from UCV, UCAB and USB united using desks as symbols to demand the immediate release of political prisoners, as posted by JovenesConVzla_ on X in the same period. The United States expressed concern over the slow release of political prisoners and ongoing rights violations at the OAS Permanent Council session, Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto stated, per AlertaMundoNews on X. The U.S. numbered political prisoners in Venezuela at 1,000 and called for their release, according to AlertaNews24 on X. Reports emerged of Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez planning a visit to Washington next week, as noted by 05t1n40 on X, following a senior U.S. official's earlier mention of a potential unscheduled visit aboard Air Force One.
