“This is a profound episode of reflection,” Rodríguez said from the presidential palace after signing the bill. It “shows Venezuela and the world what we’re capable of and of the selflessness that we’re offering as political actors with this law.”
The law also states that those seeking amnesty must obtain judicial approval, either in person or, if abroad, through a lawyer. That means that many would have to face judges who charged them or sent them to jail in the first place, in a court system that democratic observers have called corrupt under one-party rule.Though the interim government is lauding the measure as historic, the two provisions make the amnesty law a far cry from the type of sweeping legislation many had hoped for. The opposition, for its part, pushed back on the judicial requirement but ultimately voted in favour.
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“Those who benefit from the amnesty should not have to undergo any restrictive procedures, but instead receive preferential treatment,” moderate opposition lawmaker Nora Bracho said during the debate.
Still, the opposition doesn’t hold enough seats in the assembly to move a vote in either direction. They ultimately threw their support behind the proposal because of “commitment to the freedom of political prisoners and those who have been persecuted,” Bracho said.
Since the US captured strongman Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s interim government has said it has freed nearly 900 people in a gesture of peace. Still, Venezuelans have remained cautious that the changes will not be long-lasting, and that the ruling party is more focused on optics to convince the Trump administration of its cooperation.Independent organisations have verified about half the number of people who authorities say have been released from prison, and criticised the conditions of release. Many have said they remain subject to house arrest and other restrictions.
The amnesty law does not automatically lift those conditions. The bans against certain opposition members from holding public office remain in place.
It remains unclear whether the US will accept the terms of the amnesty. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The opposition was able to notch some wins: The original proposal only applied to those arrested around nine political events, including the 2024 presidential vote. The latest version now applies to 12 events, including the 2019 uprising during the interim government of opposition leader Juan Guaidó. While that event included members of the military, they were explicitly excluded from the amnesty law.
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Even when not explicit in the law, a committee of lawmakers will “correct” what head of the Assembly Rodríguez acknowledged as “mistakes in the misuse of the anti-hate law,” partially meeting another demand by relatives, dissidents and activists.
Courts must review amnesty requests within 15 days, and appeals will be allowed. If approved, police and military authorities must end any criminal, civil and disciplinary actions for those covered, halt extradition requests and erase related records.
The law will not apply to to those charged with serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, major drug trafficking and crimes against public assets.
Lawmakers also added a final article saying that those who benefit from the law and commit crimes after it enters into force shall be prosecuted.
