"It is not uncommon to hear glowing words about Venezuelan unity at the National Assembly in the capital Caracas. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez did not hold back when she presented her draft amnesty law for political prisoners last month. After it was approved in a first reading, Rodriguez said it was a major step "towards peace and reconciliation." Venezuela's parliament is dominated by toppled former President Nicolas Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). A second reading is scheduled for Tuesday."
"The Venezuelan government claims to have released 900 political prisoners since December 2025. According to the opposition and human rights organizations, prisoners have indeed been released but not as many as the government says. Foro Penal, a Venezuelan human rights organization, reported that as of February 9, there were 687 political prisoners in Venezuela, down from 887 in November 2025."
"Venezuela's interim leader Rodriguez has not acknowledged that the prisoner release was at least partly due to huge international pressure, especially from the United States. Venezuelan political scientist Benigno Alarcon Deza says "the state's capacity for repression remains intact." He adds the mooted closure of El Helicoide, a notorious detention center in Caracas for political prisoners, will not change this."
An amnesty draft for political prisoners passed a first reading in Venezuela's National Assembly, presented by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, with a second reading scheduled. The government claims 900 political prisoners have been released since December 2025, while human rights group Foro Penal reports 687 remain and Plataforma Unitaria Democratica says 391 were released. International pressure, notably from the United States, contributed to some releases. The ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) dominates parliament. Observers warn the state's capacity for repression remains intact, and the proposed closure of El Helicoide detention center is unlikely to end politically motivated imprisonment.
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