The new law is meant to release certain detainees, but relies on the very institutions that sustained repression and refuses to acknowledge victims
A bold reform vision for Venezuelan oil: strip the State of profit share, and make citizens the chief stakeholders and protectors of the industry
Some of the best films made in Venezuela, such as Alidha Ávila's "Sucre," reconstruct and question patriotic religion or identity myths
Applications under the new amnesty law pile up. Politicians and rights groups demand broader releases. Gringos are yet to speak up.
On Tuesday morning, Foro Penal Director Alfredo Romero confirmed that 91 people have been granted full, unrestricted release (“libertades plenas”) after the law entered into force. “545 political prisoner released since January 8,” he tweeted.
Over the weekend, National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez said authorities have received more than 1,500 applications from people seeking to benefit from the amnesty law. He added that up to 11,000 individuals are currently subject to punitive measures other than imprisonment (e.g. house arrest, travel bans).
NGO Foro Penal echoed that estimate on Monday, but added some 400 political prisoners are linked to the military. The current law doesn’t cover those accused of military rebellion.
At the same time, Delcy’s PR chief circulated a video announcing the start of works to transform El Helicoide into a multi-purpose complex.
Human rights groups and opposition leaders continue to press for broader releases, regardless of the law’s scope, and are calling for the repeal of punitive legislation such as the so-called anti-NGO law, the anti-hate law and the Simón Bolívar Law.
Maduro’s Liberator Law is the government’s latest move to get ahead of January 10th and cripple civil society
El Helicoide, a symbol of chavista violence, was designed as the triumph of progress and prosperity. A metaphor in concrete
A string of Venezuela-related stuff delivered straight to your inbox.
Delcy and Jorge Rodríguez use theatrics to preserve their privileged position, even under Washington’s watch. Yet critical tensions threaten their plan
Chavismo always knew how to maneuver politics to produce convenient international headlines, leaving out the small print that really matters. The Rodríguez regime is doing it again
An activist network inside and outside Venezuela will screen the documentary “De Macedonia con amor” in 20 cities around the world, including an event at the Ciudad Universitaria in Caracas
When Hannah Arendt wrote her famous essay on the banality of evil, she put the spotlight on those who expected forgiveness because they just followed orders. Venezuela now faces the same dilemma
After lots of pressure and little debate, an insufficient Amnesty Law was approved unanimously by Delcy's National Assembly
