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CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s National Assembly has taken significant steps toward approving a sweeping amnesty bill that could result in the liberation of hundreds of political prisoners, including opposition figures, journalists, and human rights activists detained under controversial circumstances.

The legislation, proposed by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, passed its initial legislative hurdle on Thursday and now awaits a second debate before potentially becoming law. The move comes just weeks after the dramatic capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. military forces, marking a potential turning point in Venezuela’s prolonged political crisis.

While human rights organizations and opposition groups have long demanded such amnesty measures—a position strongly supported by the United States—the specific contents of the bill remain undisclosed to the public. This lack of transparency has prompted cautious optimism among advocacy groups, who simultaneously call for greater disclosure about the legislation’s exact provisions.

In a pre-recorded television address late last month, Rodríguez addressed gathered justices, magistrates, ministers, military leaders, and government officials, emphasizing the urgency with which the ruling party-controlled legislature would handle the bill. “May this law serve to heal the wounds left by the political confrontation fueled by violence and extremism,” she stated. “May it serve to redirect justice in our country, and may it serve to redirect coexistence among Venezuelans.”

According to available reports, the proposed amnesty would cover a extensive period spanning from 1999 through the current year, encompassing both the administration of late President Hugo Chávez and his successor Maduro. The legislation would reportedly exclude individuals convicted of murder, drug trafficking, and serious human rights violations.

Human rights organizations including PROVEA (Venezuelan Program for Education-Action in Human Rights) have issued statements stressing the urgent need for public disclosure of the bill’s contents, citing its profound potential impact on victims’ rights and Venezuelan society at large. These groups express particular concern that certain political detainees might be excluded from amnesty protections and are demanding detailed information about eligibility requirements before any final legislative vote.

In a significant diplomatic development, the United States and Argentina have formally concluded a comprehensive trade agreement, marking a milestone in President Javier Milei’s ambitious campaign to liberalize Argentina’s historically insulated economy. The pact, finalized during high-level discussions in Washington on Thursday, symbolizes the deepening political and economic partnership between the libertarian Argentine leader and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno celebrated the achievement by posting a triumphant social media photograph featuring himself and diplomatic staff following the signing ceremony. Both the Argentine government and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative independently verified the completion of negotiations that began with an initial framework announced in November.

The agreement substantially reduces Argentina’s protective barriers against American agricultural and industrial products, including beef, dairy commodities, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, and automotive imports. This represents a fundamental shift for Argentina’s domestic industries, which have historically operated behind substantial tariff protections.

In reciprocal arrangements, the United States will eliminate tariffs on select Argentine natural resources and pharmaceutical ingredients not readily available domestically. This bilateral arrangement originated from broader White House efforts to expand market access for U.S. companies across Latin America, with similar frameworks previously established with Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

The trade pact reinforces the unusual political alignment between Trump and Milei, who has dramatically reoriented Argentine foreign policy toward Washington. The relationship has yielded substantial economic benefits for Argentina, including a critical $20 billion credit line extended by the Trump administration that stabilized Argentina’s volatile financial markets and strengthened Milei’s political standing.

However, the alliance has generated significant controversy in the United States, drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Trump’s supporters have questioned subsidizing a nation that competes with American agricultural exports, while prominent Democrats like Senator Elizabeth Warren have demanded explanations for the ongoing financial commitment to Argentina’s economic stabilization efforts.