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Amnesty scheme faces abrupt halt
Human rights organisations in Venezuela have condemned interim President Delcy Rodríguez's statement that the country's political prisoner amnesty programme is nearing its conclusion after just nine weeks in effect.
Nearly 500 released, hundreds remain detained
According to prisoner rights group Foro Penal, 473 individuals classified as political prisoners have been freed under the National Assembly's amnesty law as of 20 April. However, the organisation estimates that over 500 remain incarcerated.
When the law was introduced, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez-Delcy's brother-stated that 1,557 applications had been submitted and that the legislation could eventually benefit 11,000 people.
Interim president defends amnesty's success
Speaking at a meeting of justice officials in Caracas on Friday, Delcy Rodríguez declared the amnesty law a success, citing the release of 8,616 individuals. She described the measure as "very successful in terms of its scope and the number of beneficiaries."
For cases not covered by the law, she suggested alternative legal pathways could be pursued.
Rights groups challenge authority to end releases
Foro Penal's vice-president, Gonzalo Himiob, argued that only a new legislative act or referendum could revoke the amnesty law, which has no expiration date. He criticised the justice system's lack of commitment to applying the law fairly, stating:
"The bodies of the administration of justice, which are part of the same repressive system that made an amnesty necessary, never truly had either the willingness or the capacity to apply the amnesty law while respecting its purpose or principles."
Gonzalo Himiob, Foro Penal
Criticism of move as regressive
Human rights watchdog Provea labelled Rodríguez's announcement "arbitrary and unconstitutional," warning that halting prisoner releases "does not contribute to the process of co-existence and peace."
The Justice, Encounter and Pardon group called the decision "a grave assault on the rule of law," adding that the amnesty law had become "an exercise in political rhetoric rather than a genuine instrument to restore freedom to political prisoners."
Political context and US influence
Rodríguez, a close ally of former President Nicolás Maduro, has positioned her interim administration as more open to political dissent while seeking favour with the United States. In January, US forces detained Maduro, who now faces drug trafficking charges in New York.
US President Donald Trump has backed Rodríguez over opposition leader María Corina Machado, with the release of political prisoners-including Machado's colleagues-seen as a key concession to Washington. Earlier this month, the US lifted sanctions on Rodríguez, citing progress in promoting stability and political reconciliation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently described Venezuela's current phase as a "transition" ahead of "free and fair" elections. Machado, however, has stated she will lead the country "when the right time comes."
Democracy concerns persist
Critics argue that the interim administration has made little progress toward democratic elections since Maduro's removal. The former president's government had long used political imprisonment to suppress dissent and silence opponents.
