Authorities in Venezuelan have postponed its landmark amnesty bill aimed at restricting judicial persecution of citizens after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on its implementation during the second reading. Thousands rallied in Caracas on Thursday, demanding the release of political prisoners.
The proposed legislation would drop charges against major opposition figures and dissidents who opposed the rule of ousted President Nicolás Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, over the past 27 years.
The National Assembly approved the bill on first reading, but withdrew support in the second reading due to sharp disagreements.
Pro-Maduro lawmakers, including Iris Varela, insisted that beneficiaries must appear in court to “acknowledge crimes they have committed” before their cases could be closed, a condition strongly opposed by opposition members.
After heated exchanges, lawmakers agreed to resume discussions on February 19.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez reaffirmed the government’s commitment to releasing political prisoners detained during Maduro’s tenure.
“We will have elections in this country, fair and free, of course,” she said, adding that the timeline would be determined through future political dialogue.
According to the human rights group Foro Penal, the government has released around 400 political prisoners since announcing the amnesty process. Official figures claim more than 600 have been freed since Maduro’s removal.
The bill, if passed, would also lift political bans on several opposition leaders, including 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, allowing her to run for office.
When asked about Machado’s potential return, Rodríguez said, “She can’t ensure any safety for her, as it was something beyond her control.”
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