Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, unveiled a proposed “amnesty law” on Friday aimed at granting freedom to numerous prisoners in the nation. Rodriguez also announced plans to repurpose the notorious Helicoide detention center in Caracas into a facility for sports and social programs.
During an event at the Supreme Court of Justice, Rodriguez emphasized the law’s role in fostering healing and reconciliation among Venezuelans, addressing the scars of political conflicts and violence. The proposed legislation is expected to impact a significant number of current detainees in Venezuela, as well as individuals previously released under certain conditions. However, cases involving severe human rights violations, drug trafficking, and killings will not be covered by the new law, as stated by Rodriguez.
The human rights group Foro Penal cautiously welcomed the announcement, expressing hope that the law would promote justice, freedom, and national unity. The organization urged the continuation of ongoing prisoner releases, highlighting the plight of 711 political prisoners still in custody.
Advocates and families have long campaigned for the dismissal of charges against detainees considered political prisoners, including journalists, opposition figures, and rights activists facing arbitrary accusations such as terrorism and treason.
Rodriguez also disclosed plans to transform the Helicoide prison, previously condemned for alleged abuses, into a center offering sports and social services. The move comes after a 2022 United Nations report detailing instances of torture within the facility, a claim disputed by the Venezuelan government.
Recent weeks have seen protests by relatives of Helicoide prisoners, demanding their release, while Foro Penal confirmed the liberation of 303 political detainees following the government’s release initiative earlier this month.
The Venezuelan government, which denies the existence of political prisoners, maintains that over 600 individuals have been freed, albeit without providing a specific list of names or a clear timeline. Notable figures, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, have pushed for amnesty and prisoner releases, attributing the recent developments to external pressure, particularly from the United States.
The push for amnesty gained momentum following the U.S. capture and subsequent legal proceedings against President Nicolas Maduro on narcoterrorism charges, a claim vehemently denied by Maduro.
