Opposition, detainees' families reject Venezuela's amnesty law

Members of Venezuela’s opposition, prisoners’ rights groups and relatives of people long detained for political reasons gave a lukewarm reception Friday to an amnesty measure expected to free hundreds of activists and human rights defenders.

- BY REGINA GARCIA CANO

PEOPLE with detained family members protest outside the United Nations office in Caracas, Venezuela.

(ARIANA CUBILLOS Associated Press)

Some view the law as a small but significant victory for the thousands targeted during the ruling party’s 27-year tenure. Others considered it a mockery of the pain of families and people behind bars — particularly members of the military, who were excluded from the measure.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Thursday signed the amnesty measure into law, signaling a major shift in policy following last month’s stunning U.S. military raid in the capital, Caracas, to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuelan authorities for decades denied holding any political prisoners. But Rodríguez said during the signing ceremony that the law showed leaders were “letting go of a little intolerance and opening new avenues for politics in Venezuela.”

Venezuela-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal estimates that more than 600 people are in custody for political reasons.