What changed

B100224/2026

P10_TA(2026)0153

European Parliament resolution on shortcomingsShortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela

(2026/2704(RSP))

PE783.252

European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2026 on shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela (2026/2704(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the statement by acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, accompanying the announcement of the Amnesty Law (AL) on 30 January 2026,

– having regard to its resolutions on Venezuela,

– having regard to RuleRules 150150(5) (5)and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the unilateral military operation conducted by United States forces on 3 January 2026 resulted in the forced removal and transfer of Nicolas Maduro to US territory, ending the rule of a dictator responsible for the catastrophic economic collapse of Venezuela, widespread repression and the destruction of democratic institutions; whereas subsequently, Delcy Rodriguez, who had served as Vice President under Maduro, was sworn in as interim president;

A. whereas on 3 January 2026, the United States conducted a military intervention resulting in the extraction and abduction of Nicolás Maduro;

B. whereas the government introduced an “Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence” (AL) in January 2026; whereas the National Assembly of Venezuela unanimously approved the AL on 19 February 2026;

B. whereas the Venezuelan regime adopted the ‘Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence’ in February 2026; whereas this law, resulting from foreign pressure and rushed through the illegitimate regime-controlled assembly, functions as a limited, case-by-case relief measure, insufficient to restore civil and political rights or ensure national reconciliation and has become an additional instrument of the repressive apparatus of the regime;

C. whereas implementation of the AL is entrusted to courts and institutions that remain under regime control;

C. whereas around 470 political prisoners remain unjustly detained, including military personnel, lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, foreigners (including EU nationals) and ordinary citizens; whereas the law applies to specific political events and offences, excluding large numbers of detainees on spurious or vague charges, and is not applied automatically – forcing admissions to false allegations before a regime-controlled judiciary, with beneficiaries still facing restrictive conditions such as house arrest and judicial supervision;

1. Considers that the unilateral military action by the United States constitutes a clear violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Venezuela, as enshrined in the UN Charter, and risks setting a dangerous precedent for unilateral military interventions by external powers against sovereign states;

D. whereas the law does not dismantle legal and administrative sanctions, such as political bans or asset seizures, particularly for the democratic opposition in exile denied the right to return, preventing them from participating in a future democratic process;

2. Notes that there has only been an authoritarian succession in Venezuela and that all public institutions, the Supreme Court, the armed forces, the ruling Socialist Party and the security services remain unchanged;

E. whereas on 23 April 2026, Delcy Rodriguez announced the end of the amnesty law, breaching the constitution and the independence of judiciary;

3. Notes that the Venezuelan regime is using the AL to build a narrative that avoids state responsibility for the deprivation of liberty of citizens and to try to relieve international and domestic pressure without building judicial independence and prosecutorial accountability;

1. Deplores the failure of the ‘amnesty law’ to unconditionally release all political prisoners, with at least 470 still unjustly detained under inhuman conditions, and deplores that its premature termination, limited scope, lack of independent monitoring and discriminatory implementation failed to provide any basis for political reconciliation;

4. Notes that the AL is limited to certain specific periods since 1999, leaving out arbitrary detentions and incidents from other periods; notes that the AL excludes acts that occur after the law’s entry into force, allowing new political persecutions;

2. Calls for the full and unconditional release of all individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons; insists that all recover their full civil and political rights; stresses that the amnesty law must under no circumstances be applied to shield those responsible for human rights violations, who must be held fully accountable;

5. Notes that the AL explicitly excludes 200 members of the military and anyone who has ‘favoured’ military action against Venezuela; notes that the AL does not apply to certain offenses, such as corruption, that have been used as a basis for detaining political opponents;

3. Urges the regime to immediately end repression and reform key judicial, law enforcement and electoral institutions, including shutting down all facilities used for arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and torture; calls for an end to political persecution, the unconditional lifting of all restrictions on political prisoners and guarantees of safe return without reprisals;

6. Notes that the AL aims to “prevent the recurrence of acts subject to amnesty”, allowing the Venezuelan regime to persist in criminalising freedom of expression and protest;

4. Recalls that, under all circumstances, international law, including the UN Charter, must be upheld;

7. Considers that, more fundamentally, filing an amnesty application implies acceptance of the charges, and that, in this way, the Venezuelan regime is portrayed as lenient toward crimes allegedly committed by its citizens; considers that the AL does not change the structural problem of fabricated accusations and the use of the criminal justice system as a tool;

5. Firmly reiterates that until meaningful steps towards a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy, respectful of its sovereignty, are taken, including the unconditional release of all political prisoners, the withdrawal and annulment of all politically motivated charges against the democratic opposition to the regime, and the establishment of a credible roadmap toward free and fair elections, the Council should not lift any sanctions imposed on individuals responsible for human rights violations; calls for the EU to do its utmost to achieve these results;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the National Assembly, government and acting president of Venezuela, and the Organisation of American States.

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the VP/HR.