News|PrisonVenezuela reports over 3,200 people fully released under new amnesty lawVenezuela’s National Assembly says thousands of people have regained freedom under a new amnesty law.

Implementation of Venezuela's Amnesty Law

A special commission of Venezuela’s National Assembly has reported that more than 3,200 individuals have been granted full release from detention following the enactment of the country's amnesty law. The figures, announced on Tue, Feb 27, 2026, encompass former prisoners as well as those previously under house arrest or other judicial restrictions.

According to Lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who heads the commission overseeing the amnesty law's implementation, a total of 4,203 applications for amnesty have been received since the law's passage on Feb 20, 2026. Of these applications, 3,052 individuals previously under restrictive measures have been granted full freedom, alongside 179 individuals who have been released from prison.

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez signed the amnesty legislation into law after unanimous adoption by the National Assembly. The legislation aims to ease political tensions, promote reconciliation, and expedite the release of political prisoners. However, the law does not apply to those charged with "promoting" or "facilitating armed or forceful actions" against Venezuela's sovereignty, nor does it extend to security force members convicted of terrorism-related charges.

United Nations human rights experts have cautiously welcomed the amnesty law, emphasizing the need for it to be part of a comprehensive transitional justice process aligned with international standards. Meanwhile, Venezuela-based prisoners' rights group Foro Penal reported verification of only 91 political releases since the law's effect and has requested a review of 232 cases excluded from the amnesty. Nearly 600 individuals remain in detention.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.