Venezuela prepares general amnesty for political prisoners

BY AHMET TAŞ / WISE NEWS PRESS

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has proposed a landmark general amnesty law aimed at releasing political prisoners detained during the Chavista era, excluding those convicted of violent or humanitarian crimes.

The initiative was announced during the opening ceremony of the judicial year at the Supreme Court on Friday. Rodriguez, who assumed duties for Nicolas Maduro, instructed the Judicial Revolution Commission to draft the legal text for a vote in the National Assembly. While the bill aims to reduce political tensions, officials clarified that the pardon will not extend to individuals convicted of murder, drug trafficking, or significant human rights violations.

Scope and exclusions of the bill

According to the Venezuelan non-governmental organization Foro Penal, there are currently 711 political prisoners in the country, though the government has long disputed this figure, often labeling detainees as "terrorists." Since January 8, at least 302 individuals have been released, though official records vary; the Interior Ministry reports 808 releases since December, while the Attorney General cites 643 cases of precautionary measures.

The proposed legislation represents the first major amnesty attempt since 2007, when Hugo Chavez pardoned those involved in the 2002 coup attempt. A previous parliamentary attempt in 2016 was struck down by the Supreme Court, and a 2020 decree by Nicolas Maduro pardoned 110 people ahead of boycotted elections.

Opposition skepticism and international pressure

Maria Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, argued on social media that the decision is a direct result of international pressure rather than a genuine change of heart by the administration. Speaking at the Hay Festival in Cartagena, Machado stated that some prisoners have been held for 23 years and expressed doubt that Rodriguez could provide the stability required for a true political transition.

While figures like Henrique Capriles and Stalin Gonzalez described the proposal as a necessary step for the country, families of the detainees remain cautious. After years of unfulfilled promises, many relatives expressed a mixture of hope and skepticism regarding the actual implementation of the law.

Diplomatic shift and the "Helicoide" transformation

The amnesty proposal coincides with a visible cooling of tensions between Rodriguez and the Trump administration. The Acting President confirmed recent telephone conversations with Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, focusing on bilateral issues such as reopening airspace and inviting foreign investment back into the Venezuelan oil sector.

In a symbolic move to distance the current administration from past allegations of torture, Rodriguez also proposed converting "El Helicoide"—the headquarters of the Sebin intelligence service—into a social and sports center. This transformation is intended to signal a new direction for the country's judicial and security apparatus as it seeks to re-engage with the global community.

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