"Families and friends of the five Spanish citizens freed from detention in Venezuela expressed relief and joy as they awaited their loved ones’ arrival in Madrid on Friday. Footage shows crowds gathered at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, waving Venezuelan flags and holding portraits of the released prisoners. However, the five nationals were unable to immediately reunite with their relatives, as they were taken for a meeting with Spanish authorities upon arrival and then directly taken to their respective destinations. Among those released was Rocio San Miguel, a Spanish-Venezuelan human rights lawyer who was arrested in Caracas in February 2024 under circumstances her family says violated human rights. "We were left wanting to welcome them here. However, we are absolutely delighted with the release of all these prisoners and especially in our case, the San Miguel family," stated Sergio Contreras, the family's spokesperson "No political prisoner in Venezuela has a good time in the conditions of imprisonment in Venezuela. They are among the worst," he added. A friend of San Miguel voiced similar outrage over the prisoners' alleged treatment, saying that while the release was welcome, her feelings were mixed as many remain imprisoned. "I am happy, but restrained, because they are here and I am very happy for them, but for those who remain we must continue to speak out, and we must continue to demand that they all be released," she said. "We know what we've been through," she continued. "For having a different idea and a different voice, you can be detained and spend 23 months without access, without a trial, without the minimum necessary human rights." On Thursday, Head of the Venezuelan Parliament, Jorge Rodriguez, announced that 'a significant number' of detainees would be freed, including Spanish nationals, Rocio San Miguel, Andres Martinez Adasme, Jose Maria Basoa, Miguel Dapena and Ernesto Cardona. These are the first prisoner releases under the mandate of Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed power following a US military operation on January 3 that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro. In a statement, Jorge Rodriguez said the prisoner releases are being carried out as a 'gesture of broad intention to seek peace' in Venezuela."