Venezuela amnesty bill excludes gross rights abuses under Chavez, Maduro

Venezuela's amnesty bill excludes severe rights abuses, allowing political participation for opposition figures amid calls for national reconciliation.

Venezuela’s parliament on Thursday (February 5, 2026) gave its initial approval to a landmark amnesty bill covering the types of charges used to lock up dissidents under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez.

But the bill does not cover serious human rights abuses committed during 27 years of socialist rule.

The legislation, which aims to turn the page on nearly three decades of state repression, marks an early milestone in the post-Maduro transition.

It was spearheaded by interim president Delcy Rodriguez, who replaced Mr. Maduro after he was captured by U.S. forces in Caracas last month and flown to New York to face trial.

The Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence, which AFP obtained a copy of, covers “treason,” “terrorism”, and spreading “hate” – charges frequently used to lock up dissidents during “Chavista” rule, under Mr. Maduro and Chavez.

Ms. Rodriguez hailed parliament’s approval on its first reading “a very important step” toward “peace and national reconciliation.”