More than 500 political prisoners are thought to still be in jail, despite the releases since the amnesty law was brought in.
Rights groups have strongly criticized Venezuela’s interim government for declaring the prisoner release scheme “coming to an end”, despite over 500 political prisoners still being detained. On April 24, 2026, acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the conclusion of the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence, a move condemned by human rights organizations as arbitrary and unconstitutional, particularly since the law had no expiration date.
Foro Penal, a leading Venezuelan rights group, reported that 473 political prisoners had been released as of April 20, but more than 500 remain in custody, with some estimates reaching 600. Critics argue the process has been opaque and selective, excluding military personnel and those accused of serious crimes, and that released individuals still face restrictions like gag orders and mandatory court appearances. Organizations including Provea, the UN Fact-Finding Mission, and the Justice, Encounter and Pardon group have denounced the move as a political maneuver rather than genuine reconciliation, emphasizing that the repressive state apparatus remains intact.
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