Venezuela has announced a general amnesty for all political prisoners detained since 1999 and decided to close a notorious detention center, sparking hope that the country’s long era of state repression may be ending. The move came less than a month after President Nicolás Maduro was ousted in a U.S.-led operation on January 3. Former vice president Delcy Rodríguez initiated several measures aimed at restoring the rule of law, seen as reflecting Washington’s longstanding demands. Families gathered outside the Rodeo-1 prison near Caracas celebrated the announcement with chants of freedom.

Opposition figures and citizens described the moment as the beginning of a new chapter for Venezuela. Former lawmaker Delsa Solórzano reappeared publicly after 17 months in hiding, saying the nation could feel the change. However, student leader Miguelángel Suárez and opposition leader María Corina Machado criticized Rodríguez for the slow pace of prisoner releases and questioned the government’s sincerity. Analysts noted that U.S. pressure has made political repression increasingly costly for the authorities.

While many Venezuelans expressed relief, some remained cautious, recalling the fear and trauma of the past 25 years under Maduro’s rule. Observers warned that it may be too early to call this a full political transformation.