The amnesty law, approved and promulgated this week, provides for the gradual release of detainees, although experts question its scope, as it does not fully cover the period from 1999 to 2026 and excludes cases considered terrorist.
The president of the Venezuelan parliament, Jorge Rodríguez, stated this Saturday that at least 80 political prisoners had been released as part of the amnesty granted to 379 people.
“Today, there were 80 releases” in Caracas, said Rodríguez in statements to the France-Presse news agency, after the Venezuelan justice granted freedom to 379 political prisoners following the approval of this amnesty law.
This measure was promised by the interim Government after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by the United States.
These people “must be released between tonight and tomorrow morning [domingo]”announced deputy Jorge Arreaza, in a television interview, stating that “the Public Ministry sent requests for amnesty to the competent courts”.
This law, approved by deputies and promulgated on Thursday, was promised under pressure from the United States by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who took power after Maduro’s capture during a North American military operation on January 3.
Measure does not cover the period from 1999 to 2026
However, several experts question its scope: hundreds of detainees, such as police and military personnel involved in activities considered terrorist, may be excluded.
A measure does not fully cover the period from 1999 to 2026the presidencies of Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) and his successor Nicolás Maduro, as the law refers to 13 specific periods.
On the outskirts of prisons, many family members of political prisoners have been waiting for weeks for the potential release of their loved ones.
More than 440 politicians were released
On Friday, the non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal, which leads the defense of political prisoners in Venezuela, said that 448 political prisoners have been released since the interim government announced conditional releases in early January, but almost 650 others remain in prison.
The NGO reported that will present a list of 232 cases with “serious violations of human rights” so that they are included in the amnesty law.
The vice-president of the Foro Penal, Gonzalo Himiob, recalled that Delcy Rodríguez asked the monitoring commission and the democratic coexistence program, created in January, on Thursday, to review cases “not covered” by the amnesty.
The Penal Forum estimates that at least 400 political prisoners could remain in prison and excluded from amnesty, while another 300 would be included, although it recognizes that this depends on the application of legislation.
