Venezuela’s Amnesty Law Faces Scrutiny as Opposition Figure Denounces Selective Justice
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s recently enacted amnesty law, intended to foster reconciliation following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January, is drawing criticism for what opponents call selective application. The law, pushed forward by interim President Delcy Rodríguez under pressure from Washington, requires those seeking amnesty to apply through the same courts that originally condemned them.
María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and prominent opposition leader, publicly denounced the process Saturday, stating it amounts to “selective justice.” Her condemnation followed the rejection of an amnesty request for her lawyer, Perkins Rocha, who was arrested in August 2024 amid a crackdown following Maduro’s contested reelection.
Rocha, 63, had been under house arrest since February 8, monitored around the clock with an electronic bracelet. Despite his restricted status, his plea for amnesty was denied by Venezuelan authorities.
“Selectively denying amnesty is repression,” Machado wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The regime led by Delcy Rodríguez intends to prolong the terror to break the morale of those fighting for democracy and freedom in Venezuela, who are already so close.”
Machado further highlighted a recent report by the UN Fact-Finding Mission, which indicated that repressive practices continue within the country. She demanded the full release of Rocha and all political prisoners.
Non-governmental organizations have also voiced concerns about the law’s shortcomings and discretionary implementation. While the interim government announced a process of releasing prisoners on January 8, five days after Maduro’s removal, Foro Penal, a Venezuelan NGO, reports that over 500 individuals remain detained for political reasons, despite the release of 690 prisoners since then.
The amnesty law was a key demand from Washington following Maduro’s capture, aiming to address the widespread political persecution that characterized his rule. However, the current situation raises questions about whether the law will deliver on its promise of genuine reconciliation or serve as a tool for continued political control.
