In Caracas, three former political prisoners who had spent more than 20 years behind bars walked free on Tuesday under a new amnesty law. They are the first of 300 detainees expected to be released this week, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. The amnesty was pushed by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been governing under significant US pressure following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in January.
Rodríguez noted that some of those being freed were convicted of proven crimes but qualified for release due to age — being minors or over 70 — or medical conditions. The mass release marks a notable shift in Venezuela’s political landscape, though observers will be watching closely to determine whether it represents a genuine opening or a calculated concession.
