Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez revealed an amnesty bill on Friday that could allow for the release of hundreds of political prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists, and human rights activists. This bill has been a long-standing demand from the opposition, which is supported by the United States. This announcement is the latest move by Rodríguez since she took over leadership on January 3, following the U.S. military operation that removed former President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. During a televised meeting with judges and magistrates, Rodríguez stated that the National Assembly, which is controlled by her party, would prioritize the bill. She expressed hope that the new law would help heal the divisions caused by political conflict. Additionally, Rodríguez announced the closure of Helicoide, a prison in Caracas known for reports of torture and human rights violations by independent groups. She said that the prison would be converted into a center for sports, social activities, and cultural events for police and local communities. The Venezuelan prisoners' rights group Foro Penal estimates that there are 711 individuals held in detention across the country due to their political activities. The government did not provide the details of the amnesty bill on Friday, making it unclear how they will decide who qualifies for amnesty. Rodríguez mentioned that the “general amnesty law” would apply to all political violence from 1999 to now. However, she clarified that those convicted of serious crimes like murder, drug trafficking, corruption, or human rights abuses would not be eligible for this amnesty. Earlier this month, Rodríguez's government had indicated plans to release a large number of prisoners as a goodwill gesture, but families of the detainees have criticized the slow speed of these releases.
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