Venezuela’s government says it is freeing large numbers of people held for political reasons after passing a new amnesty law. On Saturday, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez says officials are already carrying out hundreds of releases. He says 1,557 people have applied for the amnesty. The law was signed on Thursday. Authorities say it covers opposition members, activists, journalists, and others detained for months or years. Rights groups say releases are starting, but they are still verifying cases. The law excludes people convicted of homicide and other serious crimes. Human rights groups criticize those exclusions and urge broader coverage.
