Rights Group Confirms Only 16 Released Under Venezuela’s New Political Amnesty

A Venezuelan prisoners' rights organization has confirmed just 16 people have been freed since the country's new political amnesty law took effect this week. The verified number falls significantly short of government claims that hundreds were being released immediately.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A Venezuelan prisoners’ rights organization announced on social media Sunday that it has confirmed the freedom of 16 individuals following the enactment of new amnesty legislation targeting those imprisoned on political charges earlier this week.

This confirmed figure stands dramatically lower than numbers announced by National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez just one day earlier. Rodríguez stated Saturday that officials were immediately processing 1,557 applications and that hundreds of people imprisoned under political circumstances were already gaining freedom through the new amnesty legislation.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez put her signature on the amnesty legislation Thursday, marking a significant policy change after last month’s dramatic U.S. military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

The legislation is designed to help opposition figures, political activists, human rights advocates, journalists and numerous others who have spent months or years behind bars.

However, human rights organizations have responded skeptically to the law’s passage, describing it as inadequate since it fails to include imprisoned military officers, among others.

The legislation also does not cover individuals convicted of murder, narcotics trafficking and severe human rights abuses.

Following Maduro’s arrest, Rodríguez’s administration promised to free a substantial number of prisoners as a peace-building measure. Since that time, 464 individuals have gained release while over 600 continue to be held, according to Foro Penal.

These releases have not provided complete freedom but instead represent precautionary measures replacing incarceration. Those freed face restrictions preventing them from media contact, international travel and political participation.

Opposition groups continue pushing for amnesty legislation that would provide complete freedom for political prisoners.

The Venezuelan Red Cross announced Sunday in an official statement that it would accept the government’s request to oversee the prisoner release process under the new amnesty law.