Venezuela releases 80 political prisoners under amnesty law
In a significant move, the Venezuelan government announced on Saturday the release of 80 political prisoners as part of a broader amnesty law encompassing 379 individuals. The announcement was made by the head of parliament, Jorge Rodríguez, who confirmed that the releases took place in the capital, Caracas, based on court rulings issued after the law's passage.
Rodriguez explained to AFP that "80 releases took place today," noting that this step comes in implementation of the amnesty law passed by parliament two days ago. This measure is part of a series of initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and easing the political polarization that has plagued the country for many years.
Background of the crisis and the context of the amnesty law
These developments come amid a deep political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that has gripped Venezuela for over a decade. The country has been in a state of political paralysis, particularly since the 2018 presidential election, which was boycotted by large segments of the opposition and deemed illegitimate. This led many Western countries to recognize then-opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president. The crisis has triggered widespread crackdowns on dissidents and activists, resulting in the arrest of hundreds whom human rights organizations consider political prisoners.
The recent amnesty law, proposed by Congressman Jorge Arreaza, covers acts the government considers “politically motivated crimes” that occurred during 13 specific periods of unrest and protests between 1999 and 2024, a period encompassing the presidencies of the late Hugo Chávez and the current president, Nicolás Maduro. While the law may exclude some military and police personnel accused of crimes previously labeled “terrorist,” Arreaza clarified that the military courts would review their cases separately to grant amnesty where appropriate.
The local and international significance of the move
Domestically, the release of the prisoners offers a glimmer of hope to their families and may be seen as a goodwill gesture by the Maduro government to ease internal tensions and encourage the opposition to engage in serious dialogue. However, opposition figures and human rights organizations continue to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, arguing that this step, while important, is insufficient.
Internationally, this move is being closely watched, particularly by the United States and the European Union, which have imposed severe economic sanctions on Venezuela to pressure the Maduro government to implement democratic reforms. The release of political prisoners has long been a prerequisite for the international community to begin talks on easing sanctions. Therefore, this step could be an attempt by Caracas to improve its international image and gain leverage in any future negotiations, especially those mediated by international bodies such as Norway, with the aim of restoring legitimacy and alleviating its diplomatic and economic isolation.
