Venezuela’s Amnesty Law

The U.S. intervention in Venezuela violated the ius cogens prohibition of the use of force and the principle of non-intervention of the UN Charter. At the same time, it created room for political change. The recently adopted Venezuelan Amnesty Law appears to go in that direction. However, a law should not be judged only by what it proclaims, but also — and above all — by its real effects. From this perspective, fundamental doubts arise as to whether the Amnesty Law will contribute to a true democratic renewal in Venezuela.