In a significant development, Venezuela has introduced a new amnesty law, leading to the expectation that more than 1,500 political prisoners will be released. These individuals have been incarcerated due to political reasons over various periods of social and political unrest in the country since 1999. As of now, at least 1,557 political prisoners have applied for amnesty under this new legislation, which was recently passed and is designed to address the ongoing political turbulence.

The Venezuelan authorities have stated that the applications for amnesty will be processed 'immediately' and can potentially be granted within a two-week period. By Friday evening, 379 political prisoners had already been granted release. This move is seen as a part of broader reforms initiated by interim president Delcy Rodríguez following the U.S. intervention that resulted in the ousting and capture of President Nicolás Maduro in January.

Under Maduro's authoritarian regime, hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals have been arrested on charges of attempted coups and other political dissent. The introduction of the amnesty law marks a pivotal point in Venezuela's current political landscape, as it reflects both an effort to address internal dissent and the international community's criticism of human rights abuses within the country. The implications of this law could resonate throughout Latin America, influencing broader discussions on democracy and governance in the region.