The Venezuelan Parliament unanimously approved an amnesty law for political prisoners, proposed by interim President Delcy Rodríguez. The measure, passed on February 19, provides for the release of detainees for political reasons and the cancellation of arrest warrants. However, reports differ on whether the text has already been sanctioned by the president.
The Venezuelan Parliament, through the National Assembly, approved an amnesty law for political prisoners on February 19 in a unanimous vote, similar to the first round of consultations held on February 5. The proposal was driven by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power after the capture of Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on January 3. According to one report, the text was immediately sanctioned by Rodríguez, under pressure from Washington and President Donald Trump, to whom the government partially ceded control of Venezuelan oil.
The law aims to free hundreds of political prisoners accumulated over 27 years of chavismo. Rodríguez previously announced conditional release for 448 detainees, but the NGO Foro Penal estimates 644 remain imprisoned. The document includes the release of detainees for political reasons, cancellation of arrest warrants, and Interpol alerts. However, exceptions were maintained for serious crimes, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, intentional homicide, torture, human rights violations, and trafficking. Additionally, those accused of promoting armed acts against Venezuela's sovereignty or cases involving other countries or international corporations were excluded.
Independent United Nations experts emphasized that the amnesty 'must be applied to all victims of illegal processes and integrated into a comprehensive transitional justice process.' The opposition questioned a clause requiring beneficiaries to present themselves to Venezuelan justice, which may affect exiles, including opposition leader María Corina Machado, whose return to the country could be hindered. Another report indicates the law still awaits final approval from Rodríguez, highlighting discrepancies in accounts of the sanction's status.
