hung over a new mass amnesty law enacted by interim authorities following the US toppling of Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously adopted the law Thursday, providing hope that hundreds of political prisoners behind bars may be soon released. Opposition figures have criticized the legislation, which appears to include carveouts for some offenses previously used by authorities to target Maduro's political opponents. It explicitly does not apply to those prosecuted for "promoting" or "facilitating... armed or forceful actions" against Venezuela's sovereignty by foreign actors.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has leveled such accusations against opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who hopes to return to Venezuela at some point from the United States. The law also excludes members of the security forces convicted of "terrorism"-related activities. "Many of us are aware that the amnesty law does not cover our relatives," Hiowanka Avila, 39, told AFP outside the Rodeo 1 prison near Caracas, where many of the detainees are ex-soldiers or officers. Her brother Henryberth Rivas, 30, was arrested in 2018 for allegedly taking part in an assassination attempt against Maduro using armed drones. National Assembly deputy Jorge Arreaza has said that "the military justice system will handle" relevant cases for members of the armed forces, "and grant benefits where appropriate." (Bssnews)