Venezuela Postpones Amnesty Bill Debate

Venezuelan lawmakers have postponed the adoption of a landmark amnesty bill aimed at ending the use of courts to suppress dissent, failing to agree on its application. The bill, a centerpiece of reforms by acting President Delcy Rodríguez since Nicolás Maduro's capture, seeks to cover charges against dissidents from the past 27 years, including those who opposed Hugo Chávez. Pro-government and opposition lawmakers are clashing over a requirement for beneficiaries to appear in court. Thousands of opposition supporters rallied in Caracas demanding the release of political prisoners. The United States, which consented to Rodríguez's presidency and controls Venezuela's oil sales, is pressuring for prisoner releases and increased oil output. The debate is set to continue on February 19.