On Thursday, Venezuela's National Assembly approved a new amnesty law that is anticipated to lead to the release of several political prisoners. This legislation is part of a series of reforms spearheaded by acting president Delcy Rodríguez since January 3rd, when U.S. special forces captured the long-time leader Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. The new law is seen as a step towards normalizing relations with the United States, after prolonged tensions under the previous administration of Donald Trump.

The amnesty law provides immunity for participation in political protests and actions deemed violent that occurred during a brief coup attempt against former leader Hugo Chávez in 2002. Additionally, the law also covers demonstrations and elections during specific months from various years including 2004, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024, and 2025. This legislative move is significant as it attempts to reconcile past grievances and politically sensitive moments in Venezuela's tumultuous history.

However, the law does not extend amnesty to individuals convicted of military rebellion related to the events of 2019, suggesting that the government still maintains a hardline stance against certain forms of dissent. The approval of this law could impact Venezuela's political landscape and might influence future diplomatic interactions with the U.S., as it seeks to alleviate some of the longstanding hostilities between the two nations.