Massive Amnesty Applications Flood Government After Law Enacted The new amnesty legislation, approved by the National Assembly on Thursday, has prompted 1,557 political detainees to file requests for release, a figure officials say will eventually rise to as many as 11,000 prisoners [1]. The law’s rapid rollout follows intense domestic and international pressure to address the backlog of political incarcerations. Authorities claim the applications are being processed “immediately,” though critics warn the system remains overwhelmed.

Early Releases Focus on Zona Seven of El Helicoide Jorge Rodríguez, brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez, announced that “hundreds” of inmates have already been freed, with the first wave coming from Zona Seven of the notorious El Helicoide complex [1]. Families of remaining detainees began a hunger strike demanding broader releases, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the partial clemency. The government says the targeted releases are a goodwill gesture tied to the amnesty’s phased implementation.

Opposition Figure Juan Pablo Guanipa Freed, Calls Law Flawed After nearly nine months of detention, opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa announced his freedom on social media on 20 February, labeling the amnesty “flawed” for leaving many political prisoners behind [2]. Guanipa, who was charged with terrorism and treason for contesting the disputed 2024 election, had been rearrested after a brief release earlier in the month. He joined other critics in urging a comprehensive amnesty that includes truth, reparations, and the release of all remaining detainees.

US Pressure Intensifies After January 3 Capture of Maduro The United States, citing the January 3 raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro, has urged Caracas to accelerate political‑prisoner releases, with former President Donald Trump publicly demanding the closure of El Helicoide [1]. Following the raid, the government announced on 8 January that a “significant number” of inmates would be freed as a goodwill gesture, a promise reflected in the current wave of releases. U.S. officials continue to link further concessions to the pace of the amnesty rollout.

Legal Experts Highlight Exclusion of ‘Maria Corina Machado Paragraph’ Law professor Juan Carlos Apitz warned that the legislation contains a clause—dubbed the “Maria Corina Machado paragraph”—that bars anyone who advocated foreign armed intervention from qualifying for amnesty [1]. The same analysis notes that dozens of military officers involved in past rebellions are also excluded, raising concerns about the law’s selective scope. Opposition leaders argue these exclusions undermine the credibility of the amnesty and perpetuate political repression.