Venezuela Plans General Amnesty for Political Prisoners

Caracas, Jan 31, 2026 — Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez has announced plans to introduce a broad general amnesty law that could lead to the release of hundreds of detainees, a move widely seen as a significant political shift in the crisis-ridden country.
Speaking during a televised address, Rodríguez said the proposed amnesty would cover the entire period of political violence in Venezuela since 1999. She described the initiative as an effort to heal long-standing divisions, ensure justice, and promote peaceful coexistence among Venezuelans.
The announcement comes in the aftermath of what Venezuelan authorities claim was the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, an incident that has further intensified political tensions in the country. Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera first reported the development.
Rodríguez said the draft law would be submitted to the National Assembly for expedited review. She also announced the closure of El Helicoide, Caracas’s notorious intelligence detention center, stating that the facility would be transformed into a social, cultural, and sports complex for local residents.
Human rights organization Foro Penal welcomed the proposal but cautioned that the amnesty must be applied without discrimination. Its president, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media that an amnesty would only be acceptable if it included all sectors of civil society and did not serve as a shield for impunity or reinforce structures of political repression.
According to Foro Penal, at least 711 people are currently detained nationwide for political reasons, including 183 who have already been sentenced. The organization said that since Rodríguez assumed power, around 302 detainees have been released, among them human rights activist Eduardo Torres, who was freed late Friday.
Families of detainees and rights groups have long demanded the withdrawal of charges against those they consider political prisoners. While the government claims more than 600 prisoners have already been released, officials continue to deny holding political prisoners and have declined to provide a clear timetable for further releases.