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The opposition leader María Corina Machado denounced that the amnesty process in Venezuela is applied “selectively” regarding the case of her legal advisor Perkins Rocha.
“Denying amnesty SELECTIVELY is repression. The regime led by Delcy Rodríguez aims to prolong the terror to break the spirit of those fighting for democracy and Freedom in Venezuela, which is already so close. You know what? THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO. Venezuela has decided to be FREE,” said Machado on X.
The opposition member stated that each abuse by the regime does not paralyze their movement, “but rather strengthens the conviction that this process is unstoppable. It is very exciting to see how Venezuelans, both inside and outside the country, reclaim their voice and the spaces that have been taken from them every day.”
"Perkins Rocha is an exemplary citizen. He is a brave man, an extraordinary father of a family, and an excellent lawyer. He was my attorney and representative of the Command with Venezuela before the CNE in the elections of July 28, 2024," he commented about his collaborator.
Machado explained the case of Rocha, who was kidnapped by the regime for 17 months "for the power and precision of his words. For speaking out and defending THE TRUTH."
“Today he remains confined to his home with an electronic ankle bracelet, and they deny him amnesty.”
The Nobel Peace Prize winner recalled that, "as the UN Fact-Finding Mission warned this week, the repressive practices of the regime continue to occur."
"The international community must remain vigilant, support the legitimate demands of families and human rights organizations, and increase pressure on the regime's oppressors," he stated.
Machado requested the release of his collaborator and all political prisoners.
"Perkins Rocha and all political prisoners must be fully free. Not released, not prosecuted: FREE! The regime believes that through its selective 'justice' it shows power and control; we Venezuelans know that in reality, they fear a nation that has decided to be free," he concluded.
AFP specified that Perkins Rocha, legal advisor to Machado, was arrested in August 2024 amid a wave of arrests following Maduro's second re-election for a third consecutive term, which the opposition denounced as a fraud.
The 63-year-old lawyer has been under house arrest since February 8, wearing an electronic ankle monitor and subjected to 24-hour police surveillance, to which he must report every three hours.
This week, the NGO Foro Penal ireported that 673 political prisoners have been released in Venezuela since January 8.
Following the amnesty law announced on February 19 by the regime after Maduro's capture and the initiation of negotiations with the U.S., a total of 161 individuals will be released from prison.
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