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Venezuelan Government Proposes Amnesty Law and Transformation of El Helicoide Prison

KVIA•Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 12:08 AM•CNN Newsource

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Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, announced a new general amnesty law aimed at benefiting political prisoners detained since 1999. This law will exclude those convicted of serious crimes such as homicide and human rights violations. Additionally, El Helicoide, a notorious prison, will be repurposed into a social, cultural, and sports center for the community. As of now, over 300 political prisoners have been released, but many remain incarcerated. Critics, including opposition leader María Corina Machado, argue that this move is a response to international pressure rather than a genuine effort for reform. Human rights organizations caution that the amnesty should not be viewed as a state-granted pardon, but rather as a necessary step towards justice.

Key Details: • The amnesty law applies to cases from 1999 to the present. • El Helicoide will be transformed into a community center, with no specific date given for the change. • Over 302 political prisoners have been released recently, with many still in detention. • Critics emphasize the need for the amnesty to be inclusive and not a cover for impunity.

human-rights venezuela political-prisoners amnesty el-helicoide

People & Organizations

Nicolás MaduroCaracasAlfredo RomeroForo PenalGonzalo HimiobMaría Corina MachadoDelcy RodríguezEl HelicoideProvea

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