Venezuela begins prisoner releases as Rodriguez promises return for exiles
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 24, 2026
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Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez announced a new amnesty law aimed at releasing political prisoners and signaling a potential shift in the country's relations with the West. On Monday, authorities released over 30 prisoners from Rodeo I penitentiary near Caracas, marking the beginning of a process to heal divisions and reconcile past grievances. Rodríguez emphasized during her televised address that Venezuelans living abroad would be welcomed back with open arms as part of this "process of healing from hatred." The move comes after years of political and economic instability in Venezuela, which has forced over seven million citizens to flee the country.
The amnesty law, passed last week by Venezuela's legislature, seeks to pardon a range of offenses used to imprison dissidents under Maduro's regime. While approximately 600 political prisoners remain behind bars, around 500 have been released since January, including Luis Viera, who had served 13 months in jail. However, the law excludes certain offenses, such as military crimes like attempted coups, leading to criticism from opposition figures and human rights groups. Despite these exclusions, Rodríguez described the amnesty as a step toward "a more democratic, fairer, freer Venezuela."
The announcement has also sparked a thaw in Venezuela's relations with Western governments. European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas indicated she would propose lifting EU sanctions on Rodríguez, while the UN Human Rights Council noted ongoing talks to reopen its mission in Caracas. Additionally, Rodríguez took another symbolic step by dismissing Camilla Fabri, the wife of businessman Alex Saab, who was implicated in corruption schemes and returned to Venezuela as part of a prisoner swap earlier this year.
The move to release prisoners and extend an olive branch to exiles marks a significant shift in Venezuela's political landscape. While critics argue that the amnesty law falls short of addressing all grievances, it signals a potential path toward reconciliation and normalization with the international community. As Venezuela grapples with its ongoing crisis, the success of this initiative will be closely watched by global observers seeking stability and progress in the region.
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/24/2026