New Delhi, May 20 -- Venezuela's government plans to release from custody this week 300 people, some of whom have been detained for years for political reasons.

National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez announced the planned releases Tuesday during a session at the legislative palace in the capital, Caracas. He did not explicitly say that those set for release are political prisoners, but human rights defenders have classified the detentions of some of the detainees he mentioned as politically motivated.

"We're not asking anything of anyone, nor are we asking for anything in return," Rodriguez said. "We simply ask that you appreciate the gesture, and if at any point you become aware of any opposition member who has committed a crime a...