Under an amnesty bill announced on Friday by Venezuela’s acting president, hundreds of political prisoners in the country, including opposition leaders, journalists, and human – rights activists, might soon be set free.
This move is the latest concession made by Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez since the U.S. captured the country’s former leader on Jan. 3.
According to The Associated Press, Rodriguez informed a group of justices, magistrates, ministers, military high – ranking officers, and other government leaders that the National Assembly, which is under the control of the ruling party, would promptly consider the bill.
As per the AP, in the pre – taped televised event, she said, “May this law help heal the wounds left by the political confrontation stoked by violence and extremism. May it help redirect justice in our country, and may it help redirect the coexistence among Venezuelans.”
The AP reported that Rodriguez stated the amnesty would cover “the entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present,” and those imprisoned for murder, drug trafficking, corruption, or human – rights violations would not be eligible for relief.
In addition to the amnesty law, Rodriguez announced the closure of Venezuela’s infamous El Helicoide prison in Caracas. Torture and other abuses have been repeatedly documented at El Helicoide. Reports indicate that the facility is going to be transformed into a sports, social, and cultural center.
Alfredo Romero, the head of Foro Penal, Venezuela’s leading prisoner – rights organization, welcomed the legislation but also expressed some doubt.
Romero said in a statement, “A General Amnesty is always welcome as long as its elements and conditions cover all of civil society without discrimination, it doesn’t turn into a shield of impunity, and it contributes to the dismantling of the repressive apparatus of political persecution.”
According to the AP, relatives of some prisoners livestreamed Rodríguez’s speech on a phone while they gathered outside Helicoide.
The AP reported that opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado said in a statement that the actions were not taken “voluntarily but rather in response to pressure from the US government.” She also reportedly noted that people detained for their political activities have been held for periods ranging from a month to 23 years.
The AP reported that Foro Penal estimates there are 711 political prisoners in Venezuela, 183 of whom have been sentenced. The outlet identified prominent opposition members who were detained after the 2024 election and are still in prison, such as former lawmaker Freddy Superlano, Machado’s lawyer Perkins Rocha, and Juan Pablo Guanipa, a former governor and one of Machado’s closest allies.
On Friday evening, Venezuela released all known U.S. citizens being held in the country.
The U.S. embassy said, “We are pleased to confirm the release by the interim authorities of all known U.S. citizens held in Venezuela. Should you have information regarding any other U.S. citizens still detained, please contact American Citizen Services.”
The Associated Press and Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.