After lots of pressure and little debate, an insufficient Amnesty Law was approved unanimously by Delcy's National Assembly
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
The statute passed last night partly addresses persecution during the Chávez and Maduro eras, but leaves out individuals charged with military rebellion (including over a hundred FANB personnel and likely some opposition politicians).
The National Assembly has approved an amnesty law that in theory would halt persecution, remove coercive measures, and release Venezuelan dissidents targeted during protest cycles and political crises under Chávez and Maduro, extending back to the 2002 anti‑Chávez protests and coup. The law excludes individuals charged with military rebellion, including many FANB personnel and politicians accused of involvement in military conspiracies.
The regime made sure to include an anti-María Corina clause: It excludes: “Persons who are or may be prosecuted or convicted for promoting, instigating, requesting, invoking, favoring, facilitating, financing or participating in armed actions or the use of force against the people, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, by States, corporations or foreign persons.”
Key detail: anyone who commits a covered “crime” after the amnesty law takes effect won’t benefit, and can therefore be prosecuted under existing laws. In other words, chavismo retains the right to target people for actions it is supposed to be pardoning.
Trump forces her to comply, but Rodríguez cannot afford to lose the support of the regime she propped up. Can Venezuela’s interim leader avoid the fate of Maduro?
After lots of pressure and little debate, an insufficient Amnesty Law was approved unanimously by Delcy’s National Assembly
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