Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez has unveiled plans for a sweeping general amnesty covering all political detainees since 1999.
The announcement was made during the 2026 judicial year opening at the Supreme Court and aired live on Venezolana de Televisión.
Rodríguez instructed the commission on judicial reform and the program for democratic coexistence and peace to prepare the amnesty law and present it to the National Assembly without delay.
She urged legislators to work collectively so that the law “helps heal the wounds caused by political confrontation, violence and extremism, and restore justice in the country.”
“I want to announce a decision to promote a general amnesty law that will cover the entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present,” Rodríguez said, addressing officials and judges at the Supreme Court.
She added that the initiative was discussed with President Nicolás Maduro and emphasized the need to move forward without retaliation. Rodríguez told citizens: “not to resort to revenge, violence, revenge and treat each other with respect.”
The law is expected to release or clear charges for individuals detained for political reasons, encompassing multiple administrations since Hugo Chávez. Its approval will depend on the National Assembly’s decision.
Rodríguez also announced that the Helicoide prison, known for its association with political detentions, will be repurposed into a facility offering sports and social services to families of police officers and nearby residents. The move signals a shift from punitive detention toward community engagement.
The general amnesty is seen as an effort to address long-standing divisions in Venezuelan society, with Rodríguez stressing that the law aims to encourage reconciliation and build a more peaceful future.
