Opposition activists among 379 prisoners set for release under Venezuela's amnesty

CARACAS, Venezuela — At least 379 people held in Venezuela for political reasons are expected to be released from prison this weekend after submitting their applications under an amnesty bill that was signed into law this week, authorities said.

Thursday's measure is expected to benefit opposition members, activists, human rights defenders, journalists and many others detained for months or even years.

Its approval marked a reversal for Venezuelan authorities, who for decades have denied holding any political prisoners. It follows last month's stunning U.S. military raid in the country's capital, Caracas, to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro.

The president of the special commission overseeing the amnesty law, Jorge Arreaza, said Friday night on state television that 379 amnesty requests had been received and that the applicants' releases would take place between Friday and Saturday. Further releases could be granted within 15 days, he said.

Gonzalo Himiob, vice president of Venezuela-based prisoners' rights group Foro Penal, told The Associated Press on Saturday that so far some have been released in the state of Barinas, in the southwest of the country, but the process of verifying releases under the amnesty was still ongoing.

The new law excludes those convicted of homicide, drug trafficking, serious human rights violations and military rebellion.

Human rights organizations are calling for the law to be applied to all prisoners held for political reasons, even if they are not listed among the beneficiaries.

Delcy Rodríguez, acting president of Venezuela since Jan. 5, said during the signing of the law that it showed that the country's political leaders were ''letting go of a little intolerance and opening new avenues for politics in Venezuela.''

The bill's purpose is to grant people ''a general and full amnesty for crimes or offenses committed'' during specific periods since 1999 that were marked by politically driven conflicts in Venezuela, including ''acts of politically motivated violence'' in the context of the 2024 presidential election. The aftermath of that election led to protests and the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including minors.

In the days after Maduro's Jan. 3 capture, Rodríguez's government announced it would release a significant number of prisoners. However, relatives and human rights watchdogs have criticized the slow pace of releases and the restrictive conditions under which many have been placed after leaving prison.