Monday, February 23, 2026-Venezuela’s National Assembly has approved a new amnesty law intended to free hundreds of people held for political reasons and offer a path toward reconciliation after years of deep political conflict.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed the measure into law in mid‑February, marking a dramatic policy shift after decades in which the government denied the existence of political prisoners and insisted those jailed had committed ordinary crimes. The law is meant to cover opposition activists, journalists, human‑rights defenders and others detained over the past decades under what the state now calls politically motivated prosecutions.
Despite official claims of hundreds of amnesty requests and dozens of releases already underway, rights groups and families of detainees are warning that the law’s scope is highly limited.
The amnesty does not automatically free all those still behind bars — people must apply through the courts to be considered, and individuals convicted of certain serious offenses or those linked to military rebellion are explicitly excluded. Critics say this leaves hundreds of political prisoners still imprisoned and unable to benefit, a reality underscored by protests from inmates at prisons like Rodeo I.
The uneven rollout has fueled frustration at home and raised questions abroad about how effective the reform will be. Some groups report only a small number of verified releases so far, contrasting with government rhetoric about broad amnesty, and relatives of detainees continue to camp outside detention centres waiting for loved ones.
Rights advocates argue that while the amnesty law may signal a political opening, its exclusions and conditions mean many of the people most affected by political repression in Venezuela will remain behind bars — at least for now.
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