Weekly Report - 12 February 2026 (WR-26-06)

A strategy can now be discerned in the Venezuelan authorities’ release of political prisoners, which began on 8 January and is set to gather pace significantly pending congressional approval of a general amnesty bill [WR-26-05]. The plan, it seems, is to release the majority of prisoners whilst ensuring that those with national influence are unable to use their newfound freedom to begin campaigning for elections. This was apparent when three well-known opposition campaigners were placed under house arrest following their release on 8 February.