Venezuela Offers Amnesty to 379 Political Prisoners

Venezuela Grants Amnesty to 379 Political Prisoners Under New Law

A new law enacted by interim authorities in Venezuela has granted amnesty to 379 political prisoners, according to National Assembly deputy Jorge Arreaza. The law was unanimously adopted by the National Assembly on Thursday and provides hope for hundreds of other jailed individuals who were detained over alleged plots to oust the government.

The amnesty process is expected to be completed within a short timeframe, with requests submitted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office to the competent courts to grant amnesty measures. Opposition figures have criticized the new legislation, which appears to include carve-outs for some offenses previously used to target Maduro’s political opponents.

The law explicitly excludes those prosecuted for promoting or facilitating armed actions against Venezuela’s sovereignty by foreign actors, as well as members of the security forces convicted of terrorism-related activities. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has accused opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of such offenses in the past.

Hundreds of individuals have already been granted conditional release by President Rodriguez’s government since the US raid that seized Maduro. The NGO Foro Penal reported that approximately 650 were detained, although this number has not been updated since. Director Alfredo Romero stated that receiving amnesty is not automatic and requires a process in the courts.

Opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa was released from detention shortly after the bill was passed, stating on social media that he was “now completely free” and calling for all other political prisoners to be freed and exiles to be allowed to return. The law brings hope to those who have been detained over alleged plots against the government, although its implications and potential impact remain to be seen.

Source: Al Jazeera