Venezuela’s National Assembly approves amnesty bill in first of two votes

Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously approved an amnesty bill in its first vote on February 5, 2026. The proposed law aims to grant clemency to political prisoners, opposition members, and protesters charged with crimes under the governments of Nicolas Maduro and Hugo Chavez. While the bill received support from both the governing socialist party and the opposition, the specific text has not been made public. The amnesty would apply to crimes like treason, terrorism, and inciting illegal activities, committed during political activism or protest, and would lift bans on opposition leaders running for office. The legislation specifies events between 2007 and 2024 that would qualify for amnesty, excluding individuals accused of serious crimes like drug trafficking, murder, or human rights violations.

Following the U.S. overthrow of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela after the disputed 2024 presidential election, opposition leader Andrés Velásquez is testing the limits of free speech. Velásquez, who previously avoided public life and sent his children into exile to avoid imprisonment, has begun speaking out. He appeared in a video on January 19, 2026, expressing support for Maduro's removal and calling for new elections. Days later, he filmed a video outside the Helicoide prison in Caracas demanding the release of all political prisoners and the dismantling of the state's repressive apparatus. These actions signal a potential shift in the political landscape and a challenge to the existing power structures in Venezuela.