More than 200 Venezuelan political prisoners have begun a hunger strike, protesting the limitations of a recently approved amnesty law that they say excludes many detainees, particularly those facing charges related to military involvement. The strike commenced on Friday night at the Rodeo I prison, located on the outskirts of Caracas, and involves both Venezuelan and foreign nationals, with approximately 214 participants as of Sunday, according to family members.
The amnesty law, passed by Venezuela’s legislature on Thursday, was engineered by interim President Delcy Rodriguez following a U.S.-backed operation that led to the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro on January 3rd. Maduro is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the United States. The law is intended to foster political normalization, but has drawn criticism from human rights groups who argue it falls short of addressing the concerns of political prisoners.
A key point of contention is the law’s exclusion of individuals accused of crimes such as human rights violations and military rebellion. Many prisoners at Rodeo I, and elsewhere, fall into this category. Yalitza Garcia, mother-in-law of an Argentine police officer accused of terrorism, explained that the hunger strike was initiated due to the law’s limited scope. Shakira Ibarreto, daughter of a policeman arrested in 2024, echoed this sentiment, stating that the law excludes many of those currently detained.
The Venezuelan government, under Rodriguez, has released a number of prisoners classified as political detainees by international observers. However, the new law requires a personal appearance for amnesty applications, creating a significant hurdle for exiled dissidents. As of Saturday, 80 prisoners had been released under the new law, a number deemed insufficient by families and advocacy groups.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) gained access to Rodeo I prison on Sunday, marking the first time they have been permitted to approach that facility. Filippo Gatti, the ICRC’s health coordinator for Venezuela, described the access as “a first step” and expressed optimism that progress was being made. The ICRC also gained access to the Helicoide prison, known for its harsh conditions.
A commission has been established within the National Assembly to analyze the cases of prisoners excluded from the amnesty. According to Jorge Rodriguez, President of the National Assembly and brother of the interim President, a total of 1,557 detainees have applied for release under the law.
Despite the government’s claims of commitment to political normalization, concerns remain about the true extent of the amnesty. Experts suggest that hundreds of detainees, including police officers and military personnel accused of terrorism-related activities, may be ineligible. The law does not fully cover the period from 1999 to 2026, encompassing the presidencies of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro.
Adding to the pressure on the government, ten families of political prisoners initiated their own hunger strike outside the ‘Zona 7’ detention facility in Caracas. One woman had been on strike for over five days prior to the law’s passage. The families are seeking a swift and comprehensive release of their loved ones.
The amnesty law is also expected to lead to the release of approximately 11,000 prisoners who have been held for nearly three decades and were previously granted conditional freedom. Opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa, who was briefly re-arrested after an initial release, announced on Friday that his house arrest had been lifted.
The developments come amid calls for democratic elections, voiced by allies of Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado. Guanipa, an ally of Machado, urged continued efforts to achieve democracy and freedom for all Venezuelans, speaking to supporters in Maracaibo.
The situation remains fluid, with the hunger strikes and ongoing scrutiny of the amnesty law highlighting the complex challenges facing Venezuela as it attempts to navigate a path towards political reconciliation and address the legacy of political imprisonment.
