Venezuela’s interim president is Delsey Rodriguez. file | Photo credit: Reuters
Venezuela’s legislature on Thursday (February 19, 2026) approved an amnesty bill that would lead to the release of politicians, activists, lawyers and scores of others, effectively admitting that the government has imprisoned hundreds of people for political motivations.
The approval marks a complete turnaround for the South American country, whose authorities have denied holding political prisoners for decades. It was the latest policy reversal since last month’s spectacular US military raid in the country’s capital, Caracas, to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro.
Acting President Delsey Rodriguez, who proposed the bill late last month, is expected to sign the measure, which outlines eligibility and exemptions for people to be granted amnesty and, therefore, released after months or years of detention.
“It’s not perfect, but it’s a great step forward,” opposition lawmaker Nora Bracho said during the debate. “It will ease the suffering of many Venezuelans.” The move is expected to benefit opposition members, activists, human rights defenders, journalists and many others who have been targeted by the ruling party for the past 27 years.
It is the latest policy change for Venezuela, where the government has been quick to comply with orders from US President Donald Trump’s administration, which last month amended the country’s oil industry law.
The bill aims to provide a “general and full amnesty” to people for crimes or crimes committed during certain periods since 1999, marked by politically-driven conflicts in Venezuela, with “politically motivated acts of violence” in the context of the 2024 presidential election. The aftermath of that election led to protests and the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including minors.
Debate on the bill was suspended last week after lawmakers failed to agree on some points, including whether an amnesty could be granted to people who left the country to avoid detention, and it exposed resistance from some ruling-party loyalists to granting relief to opposition members.
Lawmakers on Thursday (February 19, 2026) overcame the disagreement by allowing those abroad to seek amnesty on their behalf, rather than forcing them to return to Venezuela to request clemency in person.
A general amnesty is a key demand of Venezuela’s opposition and human rights groups, but they view the proposal with cautious optimism and raise several concerns about eligibility and enforcement.
Venezuela’s prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal estimates that more than 600 people are detained for political reasons.
Mr. In the days following Maduro’s capture, Rodriguez’s government announced the release of a significant number of prisoners. But relatives and human rights observers criticized the slow pace of releases. Foro Penal reached 448.
Families awaiting the release of their loved ones spent days outside detention facilities. Some started hunger strike on Saturday (February 14, 2026).
Published – February 20, 2026 06:50 IST
