Venezuela’s National Assembly has received over 1,500 applications for prisoner release under a recently enacted amnesty legislation, according to Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. The announcement Thursday revealed that hundreds of detainees incarcerated for political reasons have already regained freedom, including prominent opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa.
The comprehensive amnesty measure, which gained unanimous parliamentary approval on February 19, possesses the potential to affect approximately 11,000 incarcerated individuals nationwide. Rodríguez confirmed that judicial authorities are processing 1,557 petitions with immediate priority, indicating that prisoner releases have already commenced operationally.
However, Guanipa’s case exemplifies the complex implementation challenges. Initially released on February 8, the opposition leader was rearrested within hours after prosecutors alleged violation of release conditions. He currently remains under house arrest pending further judicial review.
The legislation has drawn substantial criticism from human rights organizations and opposition representatives who contend the amnesty excludes critical categories of political prisoners. Notably exempted are military personnel accused of insurrection against President Nicolás Maduro’s administration and individuals advocating for foreign military intervention.
This development occurs amid heightened international scrutiny following Maduro’s extraordinary detention by United States authorities on January 3. The Venezuelan leader and his wife Cilia Flores currently face narcotics and weapons charges in US jurisdiction, with both maintaining not guilty pleas. Washington has consistently urged Caracas to expedite political prisoner releases throughout this diplomatic crisis.