Venezuelan authorities promised to release all political prisoners next week
Venezuelan authorities have promised to release all politically motivated prisoners within the next week. This was announced by the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, after a meeting with relatives of the prisoners, Euronev reports .
Relatives of political prisoners protest, holding chains in front of police officers guarding the National Bolivarian Police detention center "Zone 7" in Caracas. January 30, 2026. Photo: AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
The speaker of the local parliament assured that the release would take place immediately after the final approval of the amnesty law, which is being promoted by the executive branch and supported by both the opposition and the United States of America.
According to Rodríguez, the process will begin between Tuesday and Friday of next week. He noted that after the law comes into force, all political prisoners will be free, but he did not announce specific details of the release mechanism. The statement was made near the National Police buildings in Caracas, known as Zona 7.
The meeting took place the day after parliament approved the amnesty bill in its first reading. The document was introduced by Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez and provides for the mass release of opposition leaders, trade unionists, journalists, students, and social activists convicted or detained for political reasons.
For the law to come into force, it must be considered and adopted in a second reading at one of the regular parliamentary sessions scheduled for next week. After that, the document will be sent to the head of state for signature and officially published.
The bill came weeks after a US military operation resulted in the arrest of former president Nicolás Maduro and his rendition to New York for trial on drug terrorism charges.
Delcy Rodríguez stated that the aim of the amnesty is to "heal the wounds" inflicted by years of political confrontation, which began with the rise of Chavismo to power in 1999 under Hugo Chávez and continued during Maduro's rule. The law covers events from 1999 to 2026 but does not apply to serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, and severe human rights violations.
Amnesty has long remained one of the main demands of the Venezuelan opposition and human rights organizations. After Maduro's removal from power, this idea also received clear support from the United States.
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