Venezuela Delays Approval of Amnesty Law for Release of Political Prisoners

The National Assembly postponed the second discussion of the proposed Amnesty Law by interim president Delcy Rodríguez.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The National Assembly of Venezuela postponed the second discussion of the Amnesty Law proposed by interim president Delcy Rodríguez for the mass release of political prisoners. The law was intended to free detainees held for participating in protests against the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

Why it matters

The proposed amnesty law has been a contentious issue in Venezuela, with the opposition and human rights groups supporting it as a way to free political prisoners, while the Maduro government has resisted such measures. The delay in approving the law reflects the ongoing political tensions and power struggles within the country.

The details

The Amnesty Law was proposed by interim president Delcy Rodríguez as a way to release detainees who were arrested for participating in protests against the Maduro government. However, the National Assembly, which is controlled by the opposition, has postponed the second discussion of the law, delaying its potential approval.

  • The National Assembly postponed the second discussion of the Amnesty Law on February 12, 2026.

The players

Delcy Rodríguez

The interim president of Venezuela who proposed the Amnesty Law.

Nicolás Maduro

The current president of Venezuela, whose government has resisted the Amnesty Law.

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The takeaway

The delay in approving the Amnesty Law reflects the ongoing political tensions and power struggles within Venezuela, as the opposition and the Maduro government continue to clash over the issue of political prisoners and the country's future.