Venezuela to Release 300 Prisoners This Week Under Amnesty Law

Venezuela will release 300 prisoners this week under an amnesty law, national assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez said Tuesday, May 19. The releases will occur over a five-day period. Rodriguez said some of the prisoners had been convicted of proven crimes, while others are minors, over 70 years old, or have medical conditions.

Background on the Amnesty The amnesty law was adopted in February.

It followed the ouster of former president Nicolas Maduro in January and aimed to free political detainees. Almost 800 people have been released from prison since January, according to the rights group Foro Penal. Of those, 186 were freed under the amnesty law.

The interior ministry reports different figures, stating that more than 8,000 people have benefited from the amnesty. The ministry says 314 were released from prison and the rest were granted freedom after being on parole.

Rodriguez cited the release of a 16-year-old girl and a woman in her seventies on Monday. He also mentioned 16 political prisoners accused of offenses in the oil industry who were released on Tuesday. Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez ordered an investigation on Monday into the death of political prisoner Victor Hugo Quero Navas in state custody.

His 81-year-old mother died days after confirming her son's passing. Rodriguez said the releases go beyond the amnesty law by granting additional benefits. He added that the government is not asking anything in return and wants the gesture to be appreciated.

Around 20 political prisoners have died in custody in Venezuela since 2014, according to Foro Penal.