The National Assembly in Venezuela has paved the way for the adoption of a general amnesty law after unanimously approving its text in the first reading, to be discussed finally on Tuesday, in a step aimed at releasing political detainees and lifting the ban on candidacy for prominent opponents, with the exception of serious human rights violations, while the release of 367 political prisoners was announced and about 700 remain in detention.
Published on: 02/06/2026 - 00:58
On Thursday, Venezuela took the first step towards approving a general amnesty law, after the text of the draft received unanimous approval in the first reading, and its provisions will be discussed in detail next Tuesday.
During the session in the Venezuelan National Assembly, opposition representative Tomas Guanipa believed that this law “may constitute the beginning of a historic phase,” adding that Venezuelans have an opportunity “to enter the path of mutual recognition, respect, tolerance, and agreements so that we may ultimately enjoy peace.”
It is expected that the text that was approved in the first reading for discussion will be re-presented on Tuesday in the Assembly for approval in its final form.
The pledge to issue an amnesty law came from acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez on January 30, under pressure from Washington, less than a month after she assumed power following the US overthrow of Nicolas Maduro.
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The legislative draft is supposed to allow for the release of all political detainees and stop prosecutions against them.
The text includes amnesty for crimes such as “terrorism,” “treason,” and “incitement to hatred,” which are charges that were often directed against political prisoners.
The "Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence" also aims to lift the decisions banning a large number of opponents from running, which may be in the interest of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who was banned from running in the 2024 presidential elections.
The amnesty does not, in principle, include “grave violations” of human rights committed during the socialist era since Hugo Chavez came to power in 1999.
According to the text of the law, “the proposed general amnesty aims to achieve justice and coexistence,” while emphasizing “the importance of not imposing revenge, retaliation, or hatred, but rather opening a path to reconciliation.”
The draft also stipulates that “crimes and misdemeanors that by their nature affect morality and human dignity, such as gross violations of human rights, crimes against humanity, war crimes, premeditated murder, corruption, and drug trafficking, are excluded from the amnesty.”
During the discussions, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, brother of the acting Venezuelan president, said, “We ask for forgiveness and we must forgive in turn,” holding a picture of Hugo Chavez raising a cross.
As for Nicolasito, the son of ousted President Nicolas Maduro, who is on trial in New York on charges of drug trafficking, he announced before the deputies his support for the idea that “Venezuela cannot tolerate additional revenge.”
Since the beginning of January, 367 political prisoners have been released, according to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, while about 700 others remain in detention.
France 24/AFP
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