After Maduro’s Capture, Venezuela’s Authoritarian System Shows Signs of Easing

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 6 min read 100% complete by Simon Romero, Isayen Herrera and Patricia SulbaránFebruary 3, 2026 at 11:04 AM

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long article 6 min

Venezuela's authoritarian leader Delcy Rodríguez has announced a mass amnesty proposal and plans to close the notorious El Helicoide prison, which rights groups have described as a torture center. The moves come after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro, Rodríguez's predecessor, just a month ago. Rodríguez is facing pressure domestically to ease repressive policies and improve the economy. Opposition leaders are emerging from hiding, and there have been tests of censorship limits. University students have publicly confronted Rodríguez, demanding she release political prisoners. The amnesty proposal could free hundreds of political prisoners still held in Venezuelan jails, sparking hopes for democratic changes in Venezuela.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Simón Bolívar University 50% Colette Capriles ×260% United States 70% El Helicoide ×280% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 90% Delcy Rodríguez ×495% Venezuela ×5100%

Keywords

venezuela 100% authoritarianism 90% political prisoners 80% amnesty 70% delcy rodríguez 60% democratic changes 50% censorship 50% nicolás maduro 40% political landscape 40%

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Positive

Score: 0.30

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New York Times - World

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.30)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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venezuela authoritarianism political prisoners amnesty delcy rodríguez democratic changes censorship nicolás maduro political landscape

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