Venezuela congress to resume amnesty debate amid political prisoner dispute

2026-02-20 - 07:52

Venezuela's National Assembly is set to resume debate on a comprehensive amnesty bill that could free hundreds of individuals imprisoned for political reasons, according to media reports Thursday. The measure, proposed by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, comes weeks after the US military captured President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on January 3 and transferred him to New York to face drug trafficking charges, dramatically altering the country's political landscape. Scope of the Proposed Amnesty The Washington Post reported that the bill would grant "a general and full amnesty for crimes or offenses committed" since 1999, including "acts of politically motivated violence" tied to the 2024 presidential election. Nationwide protests following that election led to the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including minors, according to previous reports. Foro Penal, a Caracas-based prisoners' rights organization, estimates that more than 600 people remain detained for political reasons, with 448 releases recorded since Maduro's arrest. Eligibility Disagreements Halt Progress Lawmakers suspended debate last week over whether exiled or fugitive suspects would qualify for amnesty. Lawmaker Nicolas Maduro Guerra argued that defendants must first appear in court, while ruling party members maintain that Venezuelan law does not permit trials in absentia, meaning those outside the country would need to return and submit to the justice system before qualifying. Authorities in Caracas have long denied holding political prisoners, a claim disputed by rights groups who document ongoing detentions. Public Pressure for Releases Relatives of detainees have gathered outside prisons in recent days demanding faster releases, with activists reporting that a small group launched a hunger strike over the weekend to intensify pressure. The renewed legislative debate comes amid these public demonstrations and represents a potential turning point in Venezuela's post-Maduro transition, though the eligibility dispute threatens to prolong negotiations and delay freedom for hundreds still incarcerated.