In the early hours of Saturday, 17 political prisoners were released in Venezuela, coinciding with ongoing discussions regarding a proposed general amnesty law. This legislation, suggested by interim President Delcy Rodríguez on January 30, is intended to encompass the 27 years of Chavismo's governance but has faced delays in approval by the National Assembly due to disputes over its scope and the role of the judiciary in its implementation.

The Human Rights Committee of the opposition movement Vente Venezuela confirmed the release via a publication on X. Among those released were ten men and seven women, highlighting the varied demographic of political prisoners in the country. Reports also noted the involvement of the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, who provided details on the identities of some individuals freed, including notable figures like Elías Torres and José Gregorio Hernández.

The ongoing issues regarding the amnesty law not only reflect the contentious political landscape in Venezuela but also underline the challenges facing the Chavismo government as it navigates pressures both domestically and from the international community regarding human rights practices. The delay in the amnesty's approval and the release of these prisoners may signal a tactical move by the regime to quell unrest and potentially open dialogue with opposition factions, though the underlying political tensions remain unresolved.