Venezuela’s new amnesty law makes political prisoner’s release possible

CARACAS — The Venezuelan government released José “Mazuco” Sánchez, a political prisoner, on Wednesday from a high-security prison near Caracas

Advocates with Comité por la Libertad de los Presos Políticos and Foro Penal reported Sánchez’s release was possible thanks to an amnesty law enacted on Feb. 19 under interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

Sánchez, 66, an oncology patient, suffered from respiratory issues, chronic diarrhea, blood pressure dysregulation, persistent migraines, and weight loss, according to a spokesperson for Clippve.

The Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, or SEBIN, had arrested Sánchez in 2024. He had already been in prison from 2007 to 2011 after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Related social media posts

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About The Author
Andrea Torres

Andrea Torres

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.