Venezuelan President Maduro issues surprise pardon for political prisoners ahead of election
- Former National Assembly vice-president and opposition leader Juan Guaido’s chief of staff are among more than two dozen lawmakers pardoned
- The opposition had repeatedly called for political prisoners’ freedom as a condition for taking part in December’s elections
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro issued a surprise decree pardoning more than 100 of his opponents as a concession ahead of upcoming congressional elections.
Former National Assembly Vice President Freddy Guevara and Roberto Marrero, opposition leader Juan Guaido’s chief of staff, are among more than two dozen lawmakers pardoned in Monday’s decree. Dozens of political activists and trade union leaders were also pardoned, Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said.
The measure seeks to promote a “peaceful coexistence through electoral channels,” Rodriguez said on state TV. “It’s important that all sectors can feel that they have someone to vote for.”
The opposition had repeatedly called for political prisoners’ freedom as a condition for taking part in December’s elections. In recent years, Maduro’s regime has threatened, detained or stripped parliamentary immunity from dozens of lawmakers who oppose his rule.
The opposition is split over whether to take part in the vote. Before Monday’s announcement, Guaido had said he would boycott it, while former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles has openly weighed participating.
