Experts say the release of some political prisoners may be an attempt by Venezuela’s autocrat to send a signal to President-elect Trump.

Dozens of people detained during protests over Venezuela’s disputed presidential election have been released, according to the local rights group Foro Penal.

Venezuelan authorities freed 225 people this weekend who were detained in protests against the disputed reelection of President Nicolas Maduro in July, the prosecutor's office said Saturday.

It was the first major release of dissidents since the start of President Nicolás Maduro’s crackdown, which advocates say has been the worst in the country’s recent history.