Healing Wounds: Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez Announces Sweeping Prisoner Amnesty and Notorious Prison Closure

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez Announces Sweeping Prisoner Amnesty

In a significant move aimed at fostering national reconciliation, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez has unveiled an extensive amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of individuals currently detained. This initiative marks one of the most substantial reforms implemented since the recent political upheaval and the reported abduction of President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

During an address to a gathering of judicial, military, and governmental leaders, Rodriguez stated, “We have resolved to advance a general amnesty law that encompasses the entire spectrum of political violence from 1999 to the present day.” She emphasized the urgency with which the National Assembly would consider this crucial legislation.

A Bid for National Reconciliation and Justice Reform

Speaking from a prerecorded televised event, Rodriguez articulated her vision for the new law, hoping it would “serve to heal the wounds left by the political confrontation fueled by violence and extremism.” She added that the bill is designed to “redirect justice in our country, and to redirect coexistence among Venezuelans,” underscoring the government’s intention to mend societal divides.

Notorious El Helicoide Prison to Transform into Community Hub

Adding to these landmark announcements, Rodriguez also declared the imminent shutdown of El Helicoide, a notorious secret service prison located in Caracas. Independent organizations have extensively documented severe human rights abuses, including torture, within its walls.

In a surprising pivot, El Helicoide is slated for transformation into a sports, social, and cultural center, intended to benefit the surrounding communities. This decision was revealed before an audience that included officials previously accused by former prisoners and human rights watchdogs of overseeing the controversial facility.

Mixed Reactions and Calls for Inclusivity

The Venezuelan prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal estimates that 711 individuals are currently detained across Venezuela for political activities, with 183 having been sentenced. Alfredo Romero, President of Foro Penal, expressed a cautious welcome for the proposed amnesty.

Romero stressed the importance of the amnesty applying “without discrimination” to all prisoners. “A general amnesty is welcome as long as its elements and conditions include all of civil society, without discrimination, that it does not become a cloak of impunity, and that it contributes to dismantling the repressive apparatus of political persecution,” he conveyed via social media.

Foro Penal has documented approximately 302 prisoner releases by Rodriguez’s administration in the aftermath of the events surrounding Maduro’s reported abduction. A recent video shared by the organization purportedly showed the Friday night release of human rights worker Eduardo Torres, who had been detained since May 2025.

For years, families and advocates have tirelessly demanded that charges and convictions against those considered political prisoners be dropped. While government officials deny holding political prisoners—asserting that detainees have committed crimes—they report over 600 releases. However, clarity on the timeline remains vague, with indications that these figures may include prisoners freed in previous years.

The Path Ahead for Venezuela

The announcements from Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez represent a critical juncture for the nation. While the amnesty bill and the closure of El Helicoide offer a glimmer of hope for healing deep-seated divisions and addressing human rights concerns, their ultimate impact will hinge on their comprehensive and unbiased implementation, as well as the broader commitment to true reconciliation.