Venezuela legislature passes limited amnesty bill critiqued by rights groups

Members of the Venezuela's National Assembly and its president Jorge Rodriguez vote during a debate on an amnesty law meant to grant immediate clemency to individuals jailed for participating in political protests, as the legislation, which has already passed its first vote, requires a second successful vote to pass, in Caracas, Venezuela February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Fausto Torrealba

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Venezuela's ruling party-controlled legislature on Thursday approved a limited amnesty ⁠bill that human rights organizations say falls short of offering relief for hundreds of political prisoners in the country.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who took power last month after the U.S. ouster ⁠of President Nicolas Maduro, has bowed to Trump administration demands on oil sales and released hundreds of people who human rights groups class as political prisoners, as part of ‌a normalization of relations between the countries.