Maduro Grants Pardon to Opponents Arrested or Prosecuted by His Regime

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Chavista government in Venezuela announced on Monday, August 31st, that President Nicolás Maduro has granted a pardon to 110 oppositionists arrested or prosecuted by his regime. The list includes allies of Juan Guaidó, self-proclaimed interim president, but does not include the main opposition leader himself.

In an official note, the Chavista government said the action aims to promote “peaceful coexistence through the opening of the democratic game” in light of the parliamentary elections scheduled for December. However, the main opposition parties have stated that they intend to boycott the elections.

“The intention of the Bolivarian government is to deepen the process of national reconciliation,” said the Minister of Communication, Jorge Rodríguez.

The list includes Roberto Marrero, one of Juan Guaidó‘s right-hand men, and activist Vasco da Costa, who, according to the newspaper “El País,” has been imprisoned for two years. Opposition deputies are also among those pardoned.

Guaidó has lost parliamentary immunity and was threatened with imprisonment by Maduro. However, unlike other opponents, he was not arrested – but neither is he on the list released on Monday by the Miraflores Palace, the seat of government.

The measure also fails to include Leopoldo López, one of Maduro’s main opponents who was arrested in 2014. He was released last year to serve house arrest.

Source: G1

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