Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has announced a proposed amnesty bill for political prisoners and the planned closure of El Helicoide prison, following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. These developments coincide with the ongoing release of numerous detainees, including Venezuelan opposition figures and foreign nationals, and a significant shift in diplomatic engagement with the United States.
The releases have been met with varying reports on numbers and pace. Notably, one prominent opposition figure was reportedly re-detained shortly after his release.
Amnesty Bill and El Helicoide Prison
On Friday, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced a proposed general amnesty law, intended to cover political violence from 1999 to the present. The initiative aims to "heal the wounds left by political confrontation" and "redirect justice and coexistence among Venezuelans." The ruling party-controlled National Assembly is slated to urgently consider the bill.
The proposal specifies exclusions for individuals convicted of murder, drug trafficking, corruption, or human rights violations. The government has not yet released the full text of the bill, leaving specific qualification criteria undisclosed.
Rodríguez also announced the closure of El Helicoide prison in Caracas, a facility where independent organizations have documented allegations of torture and human rights abuses. The building is planned for transformation into a sports, social, and cultural center for police and local communities. Originally conceived as a modern drive-in shopping mall in 1955, El Helicoide was converted into a headquarters for the intelligence agency and a detention center in 1984.
While Ms. Rodríguez announced its closure, a general coordinator for the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón (JEP) indicated that at the time of her statement, only some administrative sections were being vacated, not the areas primarily used for political detainees.
Families of detainees have gathered outside the facility seeking information.
Prisoner Releases: Numbers and Specific Cases
The announcements follow an earlier pledge by Ms. Rodríguez's government for significant prisoner releases, characterized as a "gesture of peace" and a step towards "national unity and peaceful coexistence." These actions took place after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in Caracas on January 3 to face drug trafficking charges in New York.
Human rights organizations have reported varying numbers of political prisoners in Venezuela. Foro Penal, a prominent prisoners' rights group, reported estimates ranging from 711 to 863 political prisoners around the time of the announcements, with the UN's Venezuela Fact-Finding Mission estimating approximately 800.
The government's official figures for releases have varied, with claims ranging from "a significant number" to "over 100" and even "over 600" by Acting President Rodríguez, a figure disputed by Foro Penal. Human rights groups, including Foro Penal and JEP, have reported significantly lower confirmed numbers. Foro Penal recorded 302 releases since an initial January 8 announcement, and later confirmed around 41 to 151 releases by various dates. The UN reported approximately 50 releases by one count.
Confirmed Releases Include:
- Diógenes Angulo, released on January 10 after 17 months of detention.
- Biagio Pilieri and Enrique Márquez, opposition figures.
- Rafael Tudares, son-in-law of opposition candidate Edmundo González, released after 380 days.
- María Oropeza and Perkins Rocha, associated with opposition leader María Corina Machado.
- Five Spanish citizens, including the dual national Rocío San Miguel (a lawyer, activist, and human rights defender), Andrés Martínez, José María Basoa, Ernesto Gorbe, and Miguel Moreno.
- All known U.S. citizens held in Venezuelan prisons, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of State. This marks the first known release of American citizens since Maduro's capture.
Relatives of detainees have criticized the slow pace of releases and the lack of transparency regarding criteria. Some released individuals reportedly remain subject to legal charges and restrictions, such as travel bans or prohibitions on speaking to the media.
Human rights groups like Provea emphasize that the releases should not be considered pardons, as the individuals were allegedly arbitrarily imprisoned for exercising protected rights.
Juan Pablo Guanipa Re-detention
Juan Pablo Guanipa, an opposition leader who had been in custody for over eight months, was reportedly released on a Sunday, but then re-taken hours later on Monday morning in Caracas. Opposition leader María Corina Machado and Guanipa's son, Ramón, stated that heavily armed men in civilian clothes took him. The exact identities of those who took him and his current location were not immediately clear, prompting demands for his immediate release and proof of life.
International Context and Diplomatic Engagements
The U.S. Department of State confirmed the release of all known U.S. citizens and announced the expected arrival of Laura Dogu, the top U.S. diplomat, in Caracas. The U.S. Embassy, which closed in 2019, is reportedly taking steps towards reopening, and discussions are underway regarding the restoration of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the United States. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil met with Ms. Dogu to establish a roadmap for bilateral interests.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented that the releases occurred at the request of the United States and noted cooperation from the Venezuelan government. Opposition leader María Corina Machado stated that these actions were a response to U.S. government pressure rather than voluntary. Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, characterized the release of Spanish citizens as a "very positive step" in a new phase for Venezuela.
The U.S. administration has also lifted its ban on U.S. flights to Venezuela and rolled back some sanctions targeting Venezuela's oil industry. Ramón Guanipa, son of jailed opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, urged President Trump to continue applying pressure, expressing concern that the number of releases was significantly lower than the total reported political prisoners.
Human Rights Concerns and Allegations
Human rights organizations, including the UN's Venezuela Fact-Finding Mission, have documented concerns regarding human rights in Venezuela, including the "widespread and systematic use of arbitrary detention as a tool of repression."
Reports have detailed patterns of arbitrary detentions by individuals without warrants, extractions from homes, and instances of torture, such as beatings, suffocation, and electric shocks. The International Criminal Court commenced an investigation into the Maduro government for alleged crimes against humanity in 2021.
Foro Penal has reported deaths of detainees in custody, citing the case of Edilson Torres. Concerns persist among rights activists that without dismantling the existing "repression machinery," new arrests of dissidents could continue. The U.S. government has advised its citizens to depart Venezuela due to reports of pro-government paramilitaries targeting Americans.