CARACAS — Venezuela’s legislature has approved the first vote on a national amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of individuals detained for political reasons under the administrations of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, according to official and media reports. The legislation now faces a second parliamentary vote before it can become law.
The bill, proposed by acting president Delcy Rodríguez and approved by the ruling party–controlled National Assembly in its initial reading on February 5, 2026, is designed to grant clemency to people charged with political offenses such as rebellion, treason and defamation related to anti-government protests and dissent since 1999. The draft legislation also includes provisions for restoring confiscated assets and lifting international arrest warrants, potentially allowing exiled opposition figures to return to Venezuela.
Under the draft bill, exemptions would apply for individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder, drug trafficking and human rights abuses, legislative sources said.
Rodríguez said the bill’s approval in its first reading was an important step toward national reconciliation, and lawmakers from both the socialist party and some opposition members spoke in favor of the measure during the debate.
Human rights groups and opposition figures have responded with cautious optimism but have called for greater transparency on the criteria for amnesty and raised concerns that some detainees could be excluded from relief. As of early February, legal rights monitors reported that more than 350 people previously classified as political prisoners had been released under earlier government actions, but that hundreds remained in detention.
The advancement of the amnesty bill takes place amid continued pressure for political reform in Venezuela, including diplomatic engagement with the United States and international organizations. Once the legislature completes the second vote, the bill must be signed by Rodríguez before it can be enacted. The exact timing of the next parliamentary vote has not been announced.
Originally Published By: Reuters.
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