TransparencyAbuse of power & retaliationCourts & justice

Venezuela's amnesty law leaves hundreds of political detainees in custody and excludes some opposition figures

Confidence: Corroborated · 2 sourcesVenezuela · Oct 6, 2026

Subject of this story

Delcy Rodríguez, Acting President of Venezuela

National Assembly of Venezuela

Also named

Affected

María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader

Advocate

Foro Penal

What happened

Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously approved a general amnesty covering politically motivated offences since 1999 on February 19, 2026, and interim President Delcy Rodríguez signed it on February 20. Lawmaker Jorge Arreaza said 379 political prisoners were granted amnesty, while the rights group Foro Penal counted roughly 600 to 650 still detained on political grounds and said amnesty is not automatic and depends on courts many see as government-controlled. The law excludes people prosecuted for promoting armed or forceful actions against Venezuela by foreign actors, language critics say could be applied to opposition leader María Corina Machado.

By the numbers (2)

● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported

Figures

○

Foro Penal counts 448 political detainees released since January 8.

from Jan 8Foro Penal

1 source

Euronews448 released since January 8

○

Foro Penal counts over 600 still detained.

Foro Penal

1 source

Euronewsover 600 still detained, per Foro Penal

Sources (2)

Al Jazeeraamnesty is not automatic; excludes those prosecuted for promoting armed actions against Venezuela

Euronews448 released since January 8 and over 600 still detained, per Foro Penal

Response

Delcy Rodríguez

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

National Assembly of Venezuela

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Not yet contacted for this story.

What happened next (0)

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