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Amnesty Law · Human Rights · Political Prisoners · Venezuela
Venezuela's National Assembly approved a new amnesty law on February 19, freeing 223 incarcerated individuals and benefiting 4,534 with freedom restrictions, but critics, including families of military personnel like Irene Olazo de Caguaripano, denounce its exclusion of military rebels and lack of guarantees for exiles.
The law, intended for post-Maduro reconciliation, has granted 4,757 full releases from 8,110 applications, with 31 military personnel receiving conditional release by February 27. However, human rights groups like Foro Penal report 182 military and 386 civilian political prisoners remain, totaling 568 as of February 27.
Concerns persist regarding torture and human rights abuses by the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) and Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), as documented by Human Rights Watch and Foro Penal in a 2019 report. The law's Article 11 dismisses cases for 13 political events but excludes those who "promoted or requested foreign intervention or sanctions," a significant limitation for exiles.
UN experts emphasize that exiles should not be required to return without clear amnesty applicability. Critics argue this selective amnesty undermines genuine reconciliation efforts, despite the Rodríguez government's stated compliance with international demands.
Venezuela Amnesty Law Excludes Military, Hinders Reconciliation(current)
