Venezuela Plans Weekend Release of 379 Political Prisoners Under New Amnesty Law

Venezuelan authorities say 379 people detained for political reasons will be freed this weekend following a newly enacted amnesty law. The releases mark a significant policy shift for a government that previously denied holding any political prisoners.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan officials announced that 379 individuals imprisoned on political grounds will walk free this weekend following the implementation of a newly passed amnesty law.

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

This development represents a significant policy change for Venezuelan leadership, which has historically rejected claims of detaining political prisoners. The move comes after last month’s dramatic U.S. military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

Jorge Arreaza, who heads the special committee managing the amnesty process, announced Friday evening on government television that officials had processed 379 applications for release, with prisoners expected to be freed between Friday and Saturday. He indicated additional releases could occur over the next two weeks.

Gonzalo Himiob from the Venezuelan prisoners’ rights organization Foro Penal confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that some individuals had already been freed in Barinas state in the country’s southwest region, though verification of all releases was still underway.

The amnesty legislation specifically excludes individuals convicted of murder, narcotics trafficking, severe human rights abuses and military insurrection.

Human rights advocates are pushing for broader application of the law to cover all politically motivated detentions, regardless of current eligibility restrictions.

“It is discriminatory and unconstitutional to exclude imprisoned military personnel and persecuted political figures,” Foro Penal president Alfredo Romero posted on X Saturday. He argued that without broader inclusion, “there can be no talk of national coexistence.”

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has led Venezuela since January 5, described the law’s signing as evidence that the nation’s leadership was “letting go of a little intolerance and opening new avenues for politics in Venezuela.”

The amnesty covers “crimes or offenses committed” during designated time periods beginning in 1999 when Venezuela experienced politically motivated conflicts, including violence related to the disputed 2024 presidential election. Post-election demonstrations resulted in more than 2,000 arrests, including minors.

Following Maduro’s January 3 arrest, Rodríguez’s administration promised to free substantial numbers of prisoners. However, family members and human rights monitors have expressed frustration with the gradual pace of releases and strict conditions imposed on those who have been freed.

The Venezuelan nonprofit Justice, Encounter and Forgiveness documented 459 releases of political detainees between January 8 and February 20.