Venezuela advances Amnesty Law releases and plans national justice reform

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez reported that the Law of Amnesty and Democratic Coexistence, enacted on 19 February 2026, has facilitated the release of thousands of detainees. According to the latest balance, about 12 000 people applied for the amnesty and nearly 9 000 have benefited, with 395 new excarcelations announced and expectations to exceed 500 releases within hours. The program also includes releases of former Metropolitan Police officers and individuals linked to the oil sector, based on age, health or humanitarian criteria.

The government also announced that on 1 June a Great National Consultation will begin, a participatory process aimed at overhauling the criminal‑justice system. Initiatives tied to the reform include expanding the number of magistrates in the Supreme Court, strengthening the role of peace judges, and mobilising more than 38 000 peace‑zone judges for conciliation work across the country. Officials highlighted the goal of creating a transparent, community‑oriented justice model that reduces procedural delays and combats corruption.

Legislators and ministerial leaders, including National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, took part in the briefing, emphasizing the law’s contribution to national reconciliation and social peace.