An amnesty that does not convince
The new Amnesty Law approved in Venezuela to release people detained for political reasons has set off alarms. Human rights organizations describe it as insufficient and too discretionary.
The government says it seeks “reconciliation and coexistence,” especially after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in New York. But experts point out a serious problem: the law excludes many cases and leaves decisions in the hands of the system’s own judges.
Alfredo Romero, president of the Penal Forum, was direct: the law “will not solve the problem of political prisoners.”
His organization keeps track: more than 11,000 people continue to have their freedom restricted for political reasons. Among them are older adults and people with chronic illnesses.
What does it cover and what does it not?
The norm has clear limits. It does not apply to convictions for homicide, drug-related issues, serious human rights violations or military rebellion. Additionally, it only covers certain specific periods.
International groups such as Human Rights Watch and the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón (JEP) have warned of risks. They talk about possible revictimization and that everything depends too much on the will of those who apply the law.
The official and independent figures do not coincide either. Since December, the government speaks of almost 900 releases. The Penal Forum registers around 448.
The central demand remains the same: release all people detained for political reasons, without exceptions or partial lists. For now, that request collides with a legal reality full of conditions.
