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Venezuela to free 300 prisoners this week, top lawmaker says

By Thomson Reuters May 19, 2026 | 4:43 PM

May 19 (Reuters) – The head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Jorge ​Rodriguez, on ‌Tuesday said that 300 prisoners will be released from jail between ‌Monday ​and ⁠Friday.

The group is ⁠set to include three police officers who have been in ​custody since 2003, people with ⁠medical conditions, ⁠and those over ​the age of ​70.

Rodriguez, the brother of ‌interim president Delcy Rodriguez, did not specify whether the ⁠300 people are covered by an amnesty law ⁠passed ‌in February. Venezuela’s ⁠government has ​always ‌denied holding political ​prisoners and ⁠says those jailed have committed crimes.

(Reporting by Reuters Staff, Editing by Daina Beth ​Solomon)