Thousands of people participated on Thursday, February 12, in the first large opposition demonstration since the capture of Nicolás Maduro in a US operation. The mobilization took place on the day that Parliament was scheduled to approve an amnesty law that would have led to the mass release of imprisoned opponents. But the debate was ultimately postponed.
First modification: 02/12/2026 - 23:10
Thousands of people participated on Thursday, February 12, in the first major opposition demonstration since the fall of Nicolás Maduro.
"We are not afraid!" chanted thousands of people who previously gathered at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) in Caracas, during the first large mobilization since the capture of the Venezuelan president by the US Army on January 3.
"Amnesty now," read a banner displayed at the entrance to the UCV, the largest university in the country.
This same day, the National Assembly was also scheduled to begin the final debate on the approval of a general amnesty law. Venezuelan parliamentarians finally postponed the approval of this law, which would have led to the release of those considered political prisoners in the country, after a unanimous vote, due to the lack of agreement on at least one article.
"We will continue the discussion in the next ordinary session next week," declared the president of the Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, brother of the interim president, after the vote. Promised by Delcy Rodríguez under US pressure following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, the bill had passed its first reading on February 5 and was expected to be approved on Thursday.
Read alsoThe Venezuelan Parliament postpones the second debate of the Amnesty Law
In addition to the general amnesty law's promise, interim president Delcy Rodríguez also opened Venezuela's vast oil resources to private investment and ordered the closure of the infamous Helicoide prison, denounced as a torture center by the opposition and human rights activists.
Towards the release of those considered political prisoners
The law was approved in first reading on February 5. The second debate for its final approval was initially scheduled for Tuesday, but was postponed due to the mandatory public consultation process prior to the approval of a law.
The head of Parliament, Jorge Rodríguez, brother of the country's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, announced last week that the approval of the law would result in the release of all imprisoned opponents. "Once this law is approved, everyone will be released that same day," he promised in front of the cells at the National Police headquarters in Caracas.
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The amnesty law was to coincide with the two-day visit to Venezuela of the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, who on Thursday visited oil fields with the interim president. On Wednesday, Wright referred to a "turning point" in bilateral relations, emphasizing that "the Venezuelan oil quarantine is virtually over."
The Government also organized a demonstration that attracted thousands of participants on this Youth Day.
Read alsoEl Helicoide and its mutations tell part of the history of Venezuela
With AFP
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