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February 01, 2026 – Venezuela –
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has unveiled a sweeping amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of people detained on political grounds, including opposition figures, journalists, and human rights activists, marking a potential shift in the country’s approach to political incarceration. The announcement was made on 30 January 2026 during a televised event attended by judicial and military officials, with the ruling party-controlled National Assembly expected to consider the proposal urgently.
Rodríguez described the measure as a means to “heal the wounds” created by decades of political conflict and violence, and said it would span the entire period of Venezuela’s modern political unrest dating back to 1999. The draft law aims to offer general amnesty to individuals held for their political activities, though it would not apply to convictions for serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, corruption, or human rights abuses.
As part of the initiative, Rodríguez also announced plans to close El Helicoide, the notorious Caracas detention facility long criticised by international rights organisations for human rights abuses and torture. She said the site would be repurposed into a sports, cultural, and social centre for police personnel and local communities.
The amnesty bill comes amid a broader, highly unusual moment in Venezuelan politics, following the recent removal and detention of former President Nicolás Maduro and mounting international pressure for political reforms. Human rights groups and prisoner advocates have welcomed the announcement in principle but cautioned that the criteria for eligibility and the transparency of the process remain unclear. Many detainees’ families have expressed hopeful but cautious optimism, emphasising the urgent need for clarity on who would benefit from the law.
Rights organisations such as Foro Penal estimate that more than 700 people remain incarcerated on charges related to political activity. Some releases have already occurred: recent rights monitoring indicates that dozens of political prisoners have been freed in recent weeks, including prominent activists, although many remain behind bars.
The bill marks a notable policy shift in Venezuela’s ongoing struggle with political dissent and authoritarian legacies. As the proposed law moves toward parliamentary debate, advocates continue to call for decisive action to ensure meaningful freedom and justice for those labelled as political prisoners.
Reference –
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-31/political-prisoners-venezuela/106291540
