The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, announced on Thursday, April 23, 2026, that the national amnesty “comes to an finish.” This declaration arrives just two months after the approval of the law, despite the fact that the legislation contains no expiration date.
According to non-governmental organizations, 473 political prisoners remain in custody. Rodríguez did not provide specific details regarding what the “end” of the Amnesty Law entails, though the law was originally sanctioned on February 19.
Alternative Channels for Excluded Cases
The acting president stated that individuals who were “expressly excluded” from the text of the law may seek assistance through other government channels. These include the government’s Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence and the Commission for the Reform of Criminal Justice, which was established this Thursday.
NGOs Denounce “Unconstitutional” Move
Human rights organizations immediately rejected the announcement, labeling the decision as “arbitrary and unconstitutional.” The group Provea stated on X that the measure does not contribute to the promised process of peace and coexistence.
The organization Acceso a la Justicia argued that the Amnesty Law does not establish a expiration date for beneficiaries. They maintain that the instrument remains in effect regardless of the Executive’s decision to declare otherwise.
Legal experts from the organization noted that such a norm can only be derogated through another law of equal rank passed by Parliament or through a nullity sentence from the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.
Impact on Legal Security
The organization Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón described the announcement as an “affront to the rule of law.” They argued that ending the law through an executive statement creates “legal insecurity” and leaves victims in a state of absolute vulnerability.
The group further suggested that this move may signal the courts to de facto dismiss freedom requests based on a premise that does not exist within the legal framework. They claimed the law may have been more of a “political rhetoric exercise” than a genuine tool for liberation.
Official Figures and Pending Requests
According to Chavista deputy Jorge Arreaza, who leads the parliamentary commission monitoring the law, 8,616 people had been amnistiated as of Wednesday. Of these, 314 were incarcerated, while the remainder were under precautionary measures.
Arreaza also reported that authorities received 12,187 valid amnesty requests that met the required legal periods and crime criteria. He added that requests continue to arrive from Venezuelans living both inside and outside the country.
Potential Future Developments
Given the current legal dispute, the executive branch could face continued pressure from international bodies and local NGOs to provide a transparent list of beneficiaries.
the judiciary may be forced to determine whether the executive’s declaration has any legal standing, or if the Amnesty Law must continue to be applied until a formal legislative derogation occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Amnesty Law sanctioned?
The law was sanctioned on February 19.
How many people does the government claim were benefited by the amnesty?
According to deputy Jorge Arreaza, 8,616 people were amnistiated, with 314 of them having been incarcerated.
Why do NGOs consider the end of the amnesty to be illegal?
They argue that the law has no expiration date and that the Executive branch lacks the authority to derogate a law, a power that resides only with Parliament or the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.
Do you believe the use of alternative government programs can effectively replace a formal amnesty law for political prisoners?
