Venezuela's Assembly Approves Amnesty Law in First Discussion

Venezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly approved a controversial Amnesty Law Tuesday, rejecting President Nicolas Maduro’s objection to the law and his promise to block its implementation. The law was passed in first discussion only, and will need to be passed after a second discussion to then be inacted. 

The decision came after three hours of heated debate in the parliament and speeches by right-wing National Assembly head Henry Ramos Allup and socialist former head of parliament Diosdado Cabello, as well as 14 other lawmakers.

The opposition and supporters celebrated the outcome of the vote, while pro-government lawmakers remained critical of the decision.

Así fue aprobado en primera discusión la Ley de Amnistía y Reconciliación Nacional en la AN https://t.co/RifT4m8Pmehttps://t.co/ZDibJOpjgy

— NTN24 Venezuela (@NTN24ve) February 17, 2016

Cabello argued that the law will serve to protect perpetrators of various crimes, including jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, whose charges came down in September. It was the first time Cabello took the floor as speaker since the opposition took over the National Assembly last month.

The former head of parliament wrote on his Twitter account after the decision that the law is part of an attempted “coup d’etat against the Venezuelan people” and aims to pardon crimes “not yet committed.”

#AmnesiaCriminal, La actitud de la derecha en la AN es la típica de la sociedad de cómplices. El único camino a la Paz es la Justicia

— Diosdado Cabello R (@dcabellor) February 17, 2016

La ley de #AmnesiaCriminal, es parte del golpe de estado contra el Pueblo de Venezuela, contempla el perdón a delitos q aún no han cometido

— Diosdado Cabello R (@dcabellor) February 17, 2016

"The attitude of the right in National Assembly is typical of a complicit society. The only path to peace is justice. The Amnesty Law is part of a coup d'etat against the Venezuelan people, it includes forgiving crimes that have not yet been committed."

Opposition lawmakers argue that the law will protect political prisoners. Ramos Allup claimed in his address that the government “is in agony” and once again threatened to “democratically” remove it from power.

Socialist lawmaker Hector Rodriguez urged Venezuelans to read and understand the law and launched a national debate in the name of justice and peace.

“It is an instrument that legitimizes crimes such as terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking,” Rodriguez said of the Amnesty Law during the parliamentary debate.

Dip. @HectoRodriguez: nosotros no podemos permitir que en Venezuela haya impunidad #AmnistíaEsImpunidad #AmnesiaCriminal

— Bloque de la Patria (@BloqueDePatria) February 17, 2016

Dip. @HectoRodriguez: esta ley de amnistía es una declaración de los delitos de la derecha desde 1999 #AmnistíaEsImpunidad #AmnesiaCriminal

— Bloque de la Patria (@BloqueDePatria) February 17, 2016

"Lawmaker Hector Rodriguez: We cannot allow Venezuela to have impunity. This Amnesty Law is a statement on the crimes of the right since 1999."

On the other hand, right-wing legislator Gaby Arellano praised the law for paving the way for Venezuela “to breath tranquility, peace, reconciliation, and love,” but later added that the opposition plans to send pro-government lawmakers to jail to make them “pay” for socialist policies.

“They are going to be receiving justice in the courts and treated with dignity in the dungeons when they pay for what they stole and confiscated,” she stated.

OPINION: Don’t Rely on Amnesty to Judge Amnesty Law in Venezuela

Maduro has said that he plans to veto proposals for an amnesty law for what opposition forces refer to as political prisoners, such as Lopez.

Lopez is imprisoned over charges of public incitement of violence and association with crimes committed during opposition protests and violent street barricades, known as “Guarimbas,” that killed over 40 people 2014.

Hoy es un día histórico, que nunca olvidaremos! Se aprobó la Ley de Amnistía en primera discusión #AmnistíaYa pic.twitter.com/zusSUluT2z

— Lilian Tintori (@liliantintori) February 17, 2016

"Today is a historic day, may we never forget! The Amnesty Law was approved in the first debate."

Lopez’s wife Lilian Tintori celebrated the decision along with opposition lawmakers. Tintori spoke to the National Assembly last month to promote an amnesty proposal alongside other family members of prisoners and right-wing political leaders.

The law extends amnesty for all “political prisoners” linked to a number of historical events, including the 2002 coup attempt against former President Hugo Chavez, the 2006 presidential election protests, the 2013 protests and violent blockades around the presidential elections following Chavez’s death, and multiple other events.

The new law specifies that the period of amnesty begins in 1999, which coincides with the beginning of socialist rule under former President Hugo Chavez.

WATCH: Maduro Rejects Amnesty for Opposition Lawbreakers