Venezuela Releases 17 More Political Prisoners Amidst Broad Amnesty Discussions

Venezuela - Ekhbary News Agency

Venezuela Releases 17 More Political Prisoners Amidst Broad Amnesty Discussions

Venezuela announced the release of 17 more political prisoners on Saturday, January 14, including ten men and seven women. This was reported by the human rights committee of the opposition movement Vente Venezuela and corroborated by the NGO Clippve. The move is part of wider government pledges for prisoner releases and political amnesty, amidst increasing international and domestic pressure on the Venezuelan administration.

Delcy Rodríguez, the Executive Vice President of Venezuela and a central figure in recent negotiations, has reiterated the government's commitment to prisoner releases and political amnesty. It is important to note that some sectors of the Venezuelan opposition, in a narrative that diverges from official information and international recognition, have circulated information suggesting that Rodríguez assumed an interim leadership role following what they described as the 'capture' of Nicolás Maduro by the American government on January 3. However, Maduro remains in power, and Rodríguez serves as Vice President in his administration, operating within a complex political landscape marked by internal and external tensions.

The NGO Foro Penal, which specializes in the defense of political prisoners, estimates that approximately 400 people have been freed since January 8, when the release process was announced. In contrast, the Venezuelan regime claims that over 620 individuals have been released since December. This discrepancy in figures highlights the challenges of data verification in a highly polarized political environment.

Among the notable cases, opposition figure Joan Pablo Guanipa, an ally of María Corina Machado, was placed under house arrest on January 10. Guanipa had been among the first political prisoners initially released but was briefly re-detained after being accused of violating his conditional freedom terms. This re-detention occurred shortly after he held a celebratory motorcade just hours after his initial release. Many political prisoners freed since the escalation of tensions with the United States are reportedly prohibited from making public statements, limiting their ability to participate in political life.

In a significant legislative development, Venezuela's National Assembly began the final discussion on an amnesty law on Thursday, January 12, which aims to free all political prisoners in the country. The text, unanimously approved in a first vote on January 5, includes those accused of "treason against the homeland," "terrorism," and "incitement to hatred" – charges frequently leveled against individuals accused of political crimes. The bill also proposes transforming the notorious Helicoide prison in Caracas into a center for sports and social services, a gesture aimed at improving the government's image.

The proposed amnesty law is set to cover cases dating from 1999, when Hugo Chávez came to power, until January 2026. Hundreds of imprisoned or conditionally released opposition members are expected to benefit from this proposal. However, human rights organizations have expressed concerns that the amnesty might also extend to regime authorities, raising questions about justice and accountability.

Concurrently, thousands gathered in the streets last Thursday to protest against the regime, marking the first major opposition demonstration since the events of January. These protests reflect ongoing public discontent and underscore the urgent need for comprehensive political solutions.

On the diplomatic front, Delcy Rodríguez affirmed her commitment to holding "free and fair" elections in Venezuela, indicating that the electoral calendar would be determined through dialogue. On Friday, January 13, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that his relationship with Delcy was "very good" and that he intended to visit the country, without providing further details. These statements add another layer of complexity to the Venezuelan political landscape, with potential implications for regional and international dynamics.

Ekhbary News Agency