Days after the Venezuelan Parliament approved a retroactive amnesty law for political prisoners from 1999, the judicial authorities decided on Friday to pardon 379 political prisoners. While Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino described the law as an “indicator of maturity and political strength,” a number of experts believe that this amnesty may exclude hundreds of prisoners, such as police and army personnel who were imprisoned for activities previously described as “terrorist.”

Published on: 02/21/2026 - 09:04 Last updated: 02/21/2026 - 10:34

Venezuelan parliamentarians announced late Friday night that their country's judiciary had pardoned 379 political prisoners.

Representative Jorge Arreaza said in a television interview that about 379 political prisoners “will be released and pardoned between the evening and the morning.”

Jorge Arreaza was the one who submitted the amnesty bill that Parliament approved two days ago, and which the transitional government promised, following the overthrow of President Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

The representative added, "The Public Prosecution submitted requests for pardon to the courts."

However, a number of experts believe that this amnesty may exclude hundreds of prisoners, such as police and army personnel who were imprisoned for activities previously described as “terrorist.”

In addition, the amnesty does not include all those who entered prison for political reasons between the years 1999 and 2026, that is, under the rule of Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) and then Maduro, as the law speaks about 13 specific stages in which political unrest, crises, or protests occurred.

Close to the prisons, many relatives of political prisoners have been waiting for weeks for their release.

“Many knew that the amnesty did not include their relatives.”

Huanca Avila (39 years old), whose brother was arrested in 2018 on charges of participating in the attempted assassination of Maduro, says, “Many knew that the amnesty did not include their relatives.”

She added in front of Rodeo 1 prison, forty kilometers from Caracas, "We have no choice but to wait for a presidential pardon."

According to Foro Penal, authorities have released 448 political prisoners since January, but 650 others remain in detention.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in a previous television speech, "Today we are building a more democratic, more just, and more free country, and this must be done with the efforts of everyone."

Read also: Venezuela passes an amnesty law that may lead to the release of hundreds of political prisoners

She added, "We walk with the awareness of Bolivarian (named after independence hero Simón Bolívar)," but "we extend our hand to those who think differently."

On the other hand, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino described this law as “an indicator of political maturity and strength,” and that it “constitutes an important step on the path to the nation’s stability.”

Criticisms of judicial procedures

In a press conference held on Friday, Alfredo Romero, director of Foro Penal, pointed out that the amnesty is not implemented automatically, criticizing the judicial procedures that must be followed to benefit from it.

Opposition Juan Pablo Guaniba, who was recently released from prison, says, "We will all fight for what has just begun to become a reality, and for us to obtain democracy and freedom for all, on an equal footing."

The acting president, who ruled under American pressure, promised an amnesty and judicial reform. She also pushed for opening the oil sector to private investments, and began the process of normalizing relations with the United States, severed since 2019.

France 24/AFP

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