Story perspectives

Venezuela Ends Amnesty Law, Trump Lifts Sanctions

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the termination of Venezuela’s political amnesty law, ending a program that freed 8,616 people.
Human-rights NGOs, including Provea, said Rodríguez lacks authority to end the law and warned that the decision creates legal uncertainty for thousands under precautionary measures.
U.S. President Donald Trump backed the move, lifted sanctions and sent chargé d’affaires John Barret to Caracas on the announcement day.

History

Historical Context

In 2004 Venezuela’s National Assembly passed a Political Amnesty Law that freed about 8,600 detainees from the 2002 coup, a step now reversed by interim President Delcy Rodríguez and met with U.S. sanctions from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The move follows a Latin-American pattern, where Brazil’s 1979 amnesty and Argentina’s 1986-87 laws were later condemned and overturned for protecting human-rights abusers.

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Story summary

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the termination of Venezuela’s political amnesty law, ending a program that freed 8,616 people.
Human-rights NGOs, including Provea, said Rodríguez lacks authority to end the law and warned that the decision creates legal uncertainty for thousands under precautionary measures.
U.S. President Donald Trump backed the move, lifted sanctions and sent chargé d’affaires John Barret to Caracas on the announcement day.

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