Three prominent opposition figures are freed in Venezuela as lawmakers prepare to vote on a historic amnesty law for political prisoners.
CARACAS: Three prominent opposition figures close to Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado were freed from jail on Sunday. Their release comes as lawmakers prepare to vote on a historic amnesty law covering charges used against dissidents.
Juan Pablo Guanipa, a former National Assembly vice president, confirmed his release in a video posted online. He had spent nearly nine months detained in Caracas after being arrested in May 2025 on terrorism and money laundering charges.
Speaking to AFP, Guanipa called on the government to respect the widely disputed 2024 presidential election result. “Let’s respect it. That’s the basic thing, that’s the logical thing,” he said.
Also freed were former Machado legal adviser Perkins Rocha and Freddy Superlano, a former gubernatorial candidate. Rocha’s wife celebrated his return home in a social media post.
Machado, awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, celebrated Guanipa’s release in a post on X. “You are a hero, and history will ALWAYS recognize it. Freedom for ALL political prisoners!!” she wrote.
Authorities began releasing political prisoners after the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces on January 3. Rights group Foro Penal confirmed 35 releases on Sunday alone, bringing the total freed since January 8 to nearly 400.
An estimated 700 people are still imprisoned for political reasons. Lawmakers are set to vote on a draft amnesty law on Tuesday, though the main opposition coalition has criticised “serious omissions” in the proposed measures.
Acting president Delcy Rodriguez is pushing the amnesty as a step towards national reconciliation. Her government, recognised by the US, has taken steps to open the oil industry and restore diplomatic ties with Washington.