More than 200 inmates release starvation strike to hunt advantages underneath Venezuela’s new amnesty regulation

Introduction

On February 22, 2026, greater than 200 Venezuelan inmates initiated a starvation strike at Rodeo I jail, positioned roughly 40 kilometers east of Caracas. The protest, which started simply days after the National Assembly handed a brand new amnesty regulation on February 19, is aimed toward securing the discharge of detainees whose instances aren’t coated underneath the brand new regulation. This act of civil disobedience highlights ongoing tensions in Venezuela’s political panorama, in particular regarding the remedy of political prisoners and the tempo of post-Maduro transition reforms.

Key Points

Background

The political disaster in Venezuela intensified after the seize of Nicolás Maduro by means of US particular forces in early January 2026. The removing of Maduro, who had led the Chavista govt for over a decade, marked a turning level within the nation’s governance. Under US coordination, a transitional organization was once established, however enterprise development has been gradual, fueling frustration amongst opposition teams and civil society.

One of essentially the most contentious problems throughout this transition has been the standing of political prisoners. According to the non-governmental enterprise Foro Penal, loads of detainees were held underneath Maduro’s regime for his or her political affairs or opposition actions. The newly handed amnesty regulation was once supposed to handle this factor, however many inmates argue it falls in need of overlaying all deserving instances.

Analysis

The starvation strike at Rodeo I jail underscores the constraints of the present amnesty regulation and the wider demanding situations dealing with Venezuela’s political transition. While the discharge of 464 prisoners since Maduro’s seize is a good direction, the exclusion of many detainees from the amnesty regulation raises questions concerning the standards used for eligibility and the federal government’s dedication to complete reconciliation.

Shakira Ibarreto, whose father was once arrested in 2024, instructed newshounds that “many of the inmates held right here aren’t coated by means of the amnesty regulation.” This sentiment is echoed by means of households accumulated out of doors prisons around the nation, who’ve been looking ahead to days in hopes of seeing their family members freed.

The gradual tempo of the political transition and the perceived inadequacies of the amnesty regulation have stored the problem of political prisoners at the vanguard of public debate. As Venezuela strikes ahead, addressing those considerations will likely be an important for development believe and making sure a strong and inclusive long run.

Practical Advice

For the ones in search of to strengthen the reason for political prisoners in Venezuela, believe the next movements:

• Stay knowledgeable about trends thru respected information assets and human rights organizations.
• Support advocacy teams like Foro Penal that paintings to report and publicize instances of political detention.
• Engage with worldwide our bodies and governments to force for complete amnesty and justice reforms.
• Participate in non violent demonstrations or consciousness campaigns to magnify the voices of affected households.

FAQ

Conclusion

The starvation strike at Rodeo I jail is an impressive reminder of the demanding situations dealing with Venezuela because it navigates its post-Maduro transition. While the discharge of loads of political prisoners is a step in the proper branding, the exclusion of many detainees from the amnesty regulation underscores the will for extra complete and inclusive reforms. As the rustic strikes ahead, addressing the worries of political prisoners and their households will likely be very important for fostering reconciliation and development a strong, democratic long run.