The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, announced on Friday the promotion of a “general amnesty law” for political prisoners and stated that the initiative would encompass “the entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present”, a temporal reference that includes the years of chavismo since Hugo Chávez.
According to his statement, the proposal aims to "promote coexistence in Venezuela" and "heal the wounds" left by political confrontation.
Rodríguez stated that the decision was discussed in the "political high command" and that it was determined by Nicolás Maduro, who tasked that the text be presented "in the coming hours" to the National Assembly for discussion.
The announcement, reported by El País, was made during an event at the Supreme Court of Justice, and the regulation is expected to be discussed and approved "presumably next week."
In his statement, Rodríguez specified that the release would cover the period “from 1999 to the present” and requested that it be a law that serves to “heal the wounds” of political confrontation “from violence” and “from extremism,” in addition to “redirecting justice” and coexistence among Venezuelans.
He also asked to avoid "violence or revenge" in order to live "with respect," according to the cited report.
According to reports, the measure could benefit hundreds of political prisoners who remain behind bars amid a release process whose magnitude is disputed: chavismo claims over 600 releases, while detainee advocates lower that number to 302.
Rodríguez warned that the future law would exclude those convicted of homicide, drug offenses, and common crimes, according to the same report.
"Erasing the causes" and differences with recent releases
The amnesty would seek to pardon and "erase the charges" against those released, which would imply a broader forgiveness than the scheme applied in recent weeks.
Many released individuals left prison but remained under precautionary measures (for example, restrictions on leaving the country or other limitations).
In the same event —according to reports— Rodríguez stated that El Helicoide, a detention center associated with the repression of chavismo, would become a center for social and sports services for the community, and assured that he would combat corruption in the justice system.
The cited report indicates that human rights NGOs have confirmed over 300 releases in the last month, but there would still be between 600 and 700 political prisoners remaining, according to various sources, in addition to thousands of individuals under judicial measures and an indeterminate number of exiles due to political persecution.
The Country also contextualizes the announcement following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, after which—according to that media outlet—releases have been gradual, and the process has been described as slow and opaque, with family members demanding the publication of lists of those who have benefited.
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