Venezuela Lawmakers Give First Nod to Landmark Amnesty Bill

Venezuela’s National Assembly gave unanimous preliminary approval to a landmark amnesty bill for political offenses, the latest step in a broader opening following the US capture of strongman Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuela is undergoing a gradual political and economic transformation since Maduro’s ouster in early January. Under acting President Delcy Rodríguez — Maduro’s former right hand who is seen as appeasing the Trump administration’s demands for political change — authorities are slowly releasing hundreds of political prisoners. The amnesty bill, which is expected to win final approval by the rubber-stamp assembly, would release many more.