Caracas, Venezuela - An American citizen was freed from prison in Venezuela on Friday, the latest in a string of releases under pressure from Washington, and was traveling back to the US, a rights group said.

"We confirm... the release of the Peruvian-American political prisoner ARTURO GALLINO RULLIER. He is already on his way to the USA. He was being held at (the prison) Rodeo I," Gonzalo Himiob of the Foro Penal group posted on X.

Gallino was arrested last November on charges that were not immediately clear.

The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez agreed on January 8, five days after the toppling of leader Nicolás Maduro in a deadly US military operation, to free inmates considered political prisoners by rights groups.

Relatives and observers say the releases have moved at a snail's pace, with an estimated 711 people still behind bars – 65 of them foreigners.

The government claims to have freed more than 800 people since last year, but NGOs have counted about 400 since December – just over 300 in total since Rodriguez's announcement, according to the Foro Penal.

Families of dozens of detainees have anxiously waited for three weeks outside prisons for their release.

In addition to pledging to free political prisoners, Rodriguez has worked hard at establishing cordial ties with the US.

President Donald Trump has agreed to work with her as long as she toes Washington's line, especially on access to the country's vast oil resources.