Venezuela announces sweeping amnesty - Who to not be released from prison
Photo: Delcy Rodríguez (Presidency of Venezuela)
Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez has presented a draft law on a general amnesty covering the period from 1999 to the present day, according to the press service of the Presidency of Venezuela.
According to Delcy Rodríguez, the proposed law is intended to help "heal the wounds" caused by years of political confrontation, violence, and extremism and to contribute to the restoration of justice and social peace in Venezuela.
She instructed the Judicial Reform Commission and the Programme for Democratic Coexistence and Peace to submit the bill to the National Assembly of Venezuela as soon as possible and called on lawmakers to fully support the process.
At the same time, the amnesty will not apply to persons convicted of murder, drug trafficking, corruption offenses, or serious human rights violations, as explicitly stipulated by Venezuela’s constitution.
Release of political prisoners in Venezuela
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Venezuela was releasing political prisoners at an accelerated pace and that the process would intensify in the near future.
Media, citing the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal, reported that more than 100 political detainees had been released in recent weeks amid pressure from the United States.
As of Sunday, 19 January, at least 104 people had been freed from detention. They were reportedly arrested in connection with protests.
At the same time, Rodríguez said that Venezuela was tired of US interference, including in matters related to reforming the oil sector and the release of political prisoners. According to her, external pressure only complicates domestic processes.
Speaking to oil industry workers in Anzoátegui state, Rodríguez stressed that the country’s future should be determined by Venezuelans themselves and that decisions in key sectors must be taken exclusively by national political leaders, without outside influence.
