Micah Jonah
February 13, 2026
Thousands of Venezuelans marched in duelling protests on Thursday in the heart of Caracas, marking the country’s National Youth Day, making their voices heard over a controversial amnesty bill for political prisoners.
The demonstrations came as interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s government faced the National Assembly, which debated legislation aimed at freeing those jailed under former President Nicolas Maduro’s rule. Supporters of Rodriguez flooded the streets in counterprotests, creating a tense but spirited scene across the capital.
Rodriguez has released hundreds of political prisoners since taking office, moves seen as concessions to the administration of United States President Donald Trump. However, human rights groups say more than 600 detainees remain behind bars, and some recently freed, like opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa, are now under house arrest.
The bill, if passed, would pardon political prisoners held over charges like treason and terrorism since 1999, but it excludes convictions for murder, drug trafficking, corruption, or human rights abuses. Critics warn that transparency is crucial and civil society must be part of the process.
This amnesty could also lift restrictions blocking opposition leaders from running for office, including Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Maria Corina Machado, a move hailed as a potential breakthrough for Venezuela’s troubled democracy.
While international attention focuses on these reforms, Rodriguez’s government continues to navigate a delicate balance with the Trump administration. Relations have been described as “extraordinary,” even as the US clarifies that only officially approved officials speak for the country.
With political tensions still high, Venezuela’s streets this Youth Day sent a clear message: the fight for freedom and fair governance is far from over.
