Venezuelan Lawmakers Pass Controversial Amnesty Law

“The bill on the Amnesty and National Reconciliation Law is declared to be approved,” assembly speaker Henry Ramos Allup said late Tuesday, adding that the legislation would be sent to President Nicolas Maduro for his signature.

The nearly eight-hour-long debate on the bill took the government bloc by surprise since it was not scheduled on the congressional agenda, which Maduro’s supporters called a violation of the National Assembly rules.

“We’re certain that the Venezuelan people, along with these legislators of the homeland, will not allow this criminal piracy to occur,” said pro-government lawmaker Dario Vivas.

“There will be justice here ... and all those who are prisoners for corruption, for murder, for violating the constitution and the laws will remain imprisoned,” he said.

Opposition lawmaker Delsa Solorzano said earlier that if the bill were approved no murderer, but rather only “political prisoners,” would receive amnesty.

At the beginning of the debate, Solorzano said that the country “wants reconciliation today,” and she asked the lawmakers of the governing leftist PSUV to join this cause.

“You, with your majority, can approve this law, but history will condemn you,” the PSUV’s Elias Jaua said.

Present at the session were relatives of people the opposition considers to be political prisoners, including the leader of the Popular Will party, Leopoldo Lopez, sentenced to almost 14 years behind bars after being convicted of inciting violent protests.

Maduro on Tuesday had said that he would not support the Amnesty Law because it is a bill that is intended to “protect” criminals.

“The truth is that they are approving a law to protect murderers, criminals, drug traffickers and terrorists,” the president said.

“Be assured that this law won’t go through ... Laws to protect terrorists and criminals will not pass. They won’t get through, let them do what they will,” Maduro said.