Venezuela ratifies sweeping amnesty law to bridge decades of political divide

The Venezuelan National Assembly formally approved the “Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence” on Thursday, Feb. 19, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s domestic policy. The legislation, championed by the administration of Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, was immediately enacted as a foundational step toward “peace and tolerance” within the fractured political landscape.

The law establishes legal mechanisms intended to promote political reconciliation through a general amnesty covering offenses and misdemeanors committed in the context of political violence between 1999 and 2026. The final text explicitly references high-profile periods of unrest, including the 2002 coup attempt against then-President Hugo Chávez, the violent “guarimba” street protests led by the opposition in 2014 and 2017, and the volatile demonstrations following the July 2024 presidential election.

Article 3 of the statute asserts that the law is “guided by the principles of liberty, justice, equality, […] the primacy of human rights, and political plurality.” However, the legislation maintains rigorous boundaries regarding the eligibility of beneficiaries.

Under Article 9, which defines the ethical and constitutional scope of the amnesty, the law explicitly excludes individuals involved in gross human rights violations, crimes against humanity, or war crimes, in strict adherence to Article 29 of the Venezuelan Constitution. Furthermore, the amnesty does not extend to those prosecuted or convicted for homicide, corruption, or drug trafficking. Individuals accused of “promoting, financing, or participating in foreign actions” directed against the Venezuelan people or national sovereignty are also barred from seeking relief under the new measures.

During a press conference at the National Assembly, President of the Legislature Jorge Rodríguez characterized the law as a proactive measure to rectify historical grievances. “I believe the articles of this law recognize the victims and represent a step toward avoiding the errors of the past,” Rodríguez stated. “It sends a powerful message that we can live, work, and develop politically within the framework established by the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”

The parliamentary session featured support from across the aisle. Henry Falcón, an opposition deputy from the Democratic Alliance, described the amnesty as “an opportunity offered by the State to move forward.” Falcón emphasized that “in the face of a higher interest—the nation itself—we cannot remain anchored to the differences of the past.”

Following twenty days of public consultations and internal debate, the final text received unanimous approval from all 277 deputies. Jorge Rodríguez subsequently announced the formation of a Special Monitoring Commission, co-chaired by Jorge Arreaza of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and Nora Bracho of the Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT) party. This body is tasked with overseeing the execution of the law and processing specific release requests.

At a formal ceremony held Thursday evening at the Miraflores Palace, Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez officially accepted the legislative instrument, calling for a “national reunion.” She noted that the law “opens an extraordinary door for Venezuela to learn to coexist democratically and peacefully, liberated from hatred and intolerance.”

Addressing the mandated exclusions, Rodríguez requested that the Commission for Judicial Revolution, led by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, review cases that do not fall under the amnesty’s direct purview to provide recommendations for “healing wounds” where legal barriers exist.

Jorge Arreaza, head of the legislative special commission, confirmed in a televised interview that the first 379 amnesty applications have already been processed, with the majority originating from Caracas. “The Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office have received 379 applications. These individuals should be released in the coming hours,” Arreaza said, adding that the process would intensify in the coming days. By Saturday, Jorge Rodríguez noted that an additional 1,500 cases were currently under review.

In parallel, Ernesto Villegas, Minister of Culture and Coordinator of the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, convened meetings with peasant, tenant, and labor organizations. These groups represent activists facing legal proceedings linked to social struggles over land, housing, and employment—sectors not explicitly detailed as primary beneficiaries in the initial draft.

Grassroots organizations used the forum to denounce the “criminalization” of social demands, providing documentation to the National Assembly’s commission to ensure their cases are considered. The meeting also included relatives of individuals imprisoned on public sector corruption charges, who criticized the penal system and sought redress for their family members. The Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence has pledged to transmit these grievances to the relevant authorities to facilitate corrective measures.