At Least 379 Political Prisoners in Venezuela Seek Amnesty

Prisoners hope for release under new amnesty law

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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At least 379 inmates in Venezuela have applied for amnesty under a new law passed in the country, according to authorities. The prisoners were incarcerated for political reasons and are now awaiting their potential release.

Why it matters

The amnesty law is seen as a step towards reconciliation in Venezuela, which has been plagued by political unrest and crackdowns on dissent in recent years. The high number of applicants highlights the scale of the political prisoner issue in the country.

The details

The new Amnesty Law in Venezuela allows prisoners who were jailed for political reasons to apply for release. Authorities stated that 379 such requests have been submitted so far, though the process for evaluating and approving the applications is still ongoing.

  • The Amnesty Law was passed in Venezuela in early 2026.
  • The 379 amnesty requests were submitted as of February 21, 2026.

The players

Venezuela

The South American country where the political prisoners are being held and the amnesty law was passed.

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The takeaway

The high number of political prisoners seeking amnesty in Venezuela underscores the scale of the country's political crisis and the need for reconciliation efforts to heal divisions and restore stability.