Venezuela reports over 3,200 people fully released under new amnesty law
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
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Venezuela’s National Assembly has reported that over 3,200 individuals have been granted full release under the country’s new amnesty law, which took effect last week. The law, signed by interim President Delcy Rodríguez after being unanimously approved by the National Assembly, aims to ease political tensions, promote reconciliation, and accelerate the release of political prisoners. According to lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who oversees the implementation of the amnesty, authorities have received 4,203 applications since the law was passed on February 20. Out of these, 3,052 individuals were released from restrictive measures like house arrest, while 179 prisoners were freed.
The amnesty has been met with both praise and criticism. While it is seen as a step toward easing political tensions, opponents argue that it excludes certain offenses related to armed actions against Venezuela’s sovereignty and terrorism-related charges. The law also does not apply to individuals prosecuted for “promoting” or “facilitating … armed or forceful actions” by foreign actors. Despite these exclusions, hundreds of detainees were granted conditional release following the US raid that led to the abduction of former President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal has verified only 91 “political releases” since the law took effect on February 20. The organization is currently reviewing 232 cases excluded from the amnesty, with nearly 600 people still detained. While UN human rights experts have welcomed the amnesty with caution, they emphasize that it must be part of a broader transitional justice process consistent with international standards.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions in Venezuela, where thousands of individuals have been jailed over
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026