Venezuela Amnesty Law Releases 3,200

Venezuela's Venezuela===National Assembly of Venezuela announced that over 3,200 people have been fully released since the Amnesty Law took effect on February 20. Lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who leads the commission overseeing the law, stated that 4,203 applications have been received, resulting in 3,052 individuals under house arrest and 179 prisoners gaining full freedom. The law was signed by interim President Delcy Rodríguez and is intended to ease political tensions and promote reconciliation. However, human rights groups like Foro Penal have criticized the slow pace of releases, verifying only 91 'political releases' and noting that nearly 600 people remain detained. The amnesty excludes individuals convicted of homicide, drug trafficking, military rebellion, or serious human rights violations, and critics suggest it may exclude opponents of former President Nicolás Maduro. United Nations human rights experts have welcomed the amnesty with caution, stressing the need for it to apply to all victims and adhere to international standards.