Relatives of Venezuelan detainees welcomes approval of amnesty bill, some doubt the outcome

Описание: (20 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caracas, Venezuela - 19 February 2026
++ NIGHT SHOTS ++
1. Various of relatives of prisoners holding hands as they watch session of the National Assembly
2. Various of relatives applauding as Amnesty Bill is approved
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Alberto Guerrero, brother of prisoner:
"We were waiting for this news that really motivates us because the conditions in which we are living in here are tough, so we are happy about it, to get our relatives home because they really don't deserve to be in there, they are not criminals. My brother is just a merchant."
4. Various of Sandra Rosales, wife of prisoner, watching national assembly session alongside Nelcy Escorcia, wife of prisoner
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Sandra Rosales, wife of prisoner:
"Until I see my relative outside I wont believe in anything"
6. Nelcy Escorcia talking with other relatives
7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Nelcy Escorcia, wife of prisoner:
"An Amnesty bill is not necessary because they don't have anything to be forgiven for. They are working, honest people. The fact that they think differently doesn't need to be forgiven. But well, we are thankful that this law has been signed, which is not only going to be good for them but for many people who have been detained in previous years and for the future here in Venezuela."
8. Relatives hugging
9. Yessy Orozco, daughter of prisoner, speaking to relatives as they hold hands and gather in a circle. UPSOUND (Spanish) "It has been a success and a victory for all. We celebrate with a lot of joy the fact that 17 of them are already free, but we will remain here because it has to be all of them."
10. Nelcy Escorcia applauding
11. Various of relatives hugging and crying
STORYLINE:
Relatives of Venezuelan political detainees on Thursday welcomed the approval of the Amnesty Bill by the National Assembly and it's signing by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

The bill could lead to the release of politicians, activists, lawyers and many others, effectively acknowledging that the government has held hundreds of people in prison for political motivations.

The approval marks a stark turn for the South American nation, whose authorities have for decades denied holding any political prisoners. It is the latest policy reversal following last month’s stunning U.S. military raid in the country’s capital, Caracas, to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro.

Outside a detention center in Caracas known as "Zona 7," relatives who have been camping outside for over a month followed the session on their phones.

As lawmakers voted to pass the bill, relatives applauded.

In Zona 7, 17 prisoners were released last week, bringing new hope for relatives that even started a hunger strike, demanding the release of them all.

Recently, National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez visited relatives outside Zona 7 and promised that everyone would be released weeks ago. The unfulfilled promise keeps relatives weary and they took the amnesty bill with caution.

The measure is expected to benefit opposition members, activists, human rights defenders, journalists and many others who were targeted by the ruling party. It is the latest policy shift for Venezuela, where the government has been quick to comply with orders from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, including last month’s overhaul of the country’s oil industry law.


The aftermath of that election led to protests and the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including minors.




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