The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, defended the amnesty law approved by the National Assembly this Thursday and called for a process of political reconciliation.
"I say this from my position as the acting Chavista president: We must know how to ask for forgiveness and also how to receive forgiveness. This is the process that opens up with this amnesty law," she declared after the vote on the project.
Rodríguez added that there has been political confrontation in the country for the past 25 years.
"Each one of us who has been involved in political action over the last 25 years is shedding a bit of intolerance and opening up new avenues for politics in Venezuela," he stated.
The National Assembly unanimously approved the law that grants amnesty to political prisoners convicted for events occurring between 2002 and 2025. The legislation covers episodes such as the coup d'état in April 2002 against Hugo Chávez, the oil strike of 2002 and 2003, and the anti-government protests of 2013, 2017, and 2024.
Article 9 excludes serious crimes. It does not apply to human rights violations, crimes against humanity, intentional homicide, serious injuries, drug trafficking, or corruption offenses.
It will not benefit those who have promoted or participated in armed actions or force against the people, the sovereignty, or the territorial integrity of Venezuela, nor those who have acted with the support of foreign states or actors.
The Parliament appointed a special committee to ensure its compliance. The text was sent to Rodríguez for his signature and subsequent publication in the Official Gazette.
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