Human rights organizations in Venezuela have condemned interim President Delcy Rodríguez for declaring that a program releasing political prisoners is "coming to an end," just nine weeks after it began. Under an amnesty law passed by the National Assembly, nearly 500 political prisoners have been freed, according to Foro Penal, a prisoner rights group. However, hundreds more are believed to remain behind bars.
Foro Penal argued that Rodríguez lacks the authority to terminate the releases, while watchdog Provea labeled the move "arbitrary and unconstitutional."
Rodríguez, a former lieutenant of ex-President Nicolás Maduro, has enjoyed U.S. support since American forces seized Maduro in January. President Donald Trump backed her over opposition leader María Corina Machado, and the release of political prisoners—including Machado's allies—was a key concession to Washington.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, Delcy's brother, who initially announced the law, had stated that 1,557 political prisoners had applied for amnesty, with the legislation eventually covering 11,000 people. Foro Penal reported that as of April 20, 473 individuals it classifies as political prisoners had been released, while over 500 remain incarcerated.
During a meeting of justice officials in Caracas on Friday, Delcy Rodríguez claimed that 8,616 people had been freed under the amnesty law, calling it "very successful." She added that cases not covered by the law could be addressed through other avenues.
In response, Foro Penal Vice-President Gonzalo Himiob asserted that only another legislative act or referendum could undo the amnesty law, which has no expiration date. "The bodies of the administration of justice, which are part of the same repressive system that made an amnesty necessary, never truly had either the willingness or the capacity to apply the amnesty law while respecting its purpose or principles," he said.
Provea echoed these sentiments, stating that ending the releases "does not contribute to the process of co-existence and peace that has been announced." The organization noted that, "despite its limitations, the Amnesty Law is a first step toward dismantling the repressive framework that has gripped the rights of the Venezuelan population in recent years."
The Justice, Encounter and Pardon group called the announcement "a grave assault on the rule of law." It lamented, "Unfortunately, this outcome confirms our initial concern: the law ended up being an exercise in political rhetoric rather than a genuine instrument to restore freedom to political prisoners."
Maduro's government had long used political detentions to suppress dissent. Rodríguez, who served as Maduro's vice-president, has sought to project a more permissible stance while courting U.S. favor. Earlier this month, Washington lifted sanctions on her, citing progress in promoting stability and reconciliation.
Trump's decision to sideline Machado has been viewed as prioritizing stability over democracy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the current situation as a "transition phase" before free elections. Machado has stated she will lead the country "when the right time comes."
Critics, however, bemoan the lack of discussion about democratic elections months after Maduro was seized and taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.