opposition

Two months after January 3, the country has found itself at an unprecedented crossroads with three main political actors: the chavista regime, the government of the United States, and the Venezuelan opposition.

Chavismo now faces a historically unique situation after 27 years of political (as well as social and economic) control. It is under pressure from the US to move toward a transition, while at the same time trying to contain the tensions that exist within its own internal structures.

For its part, Washington is trying to steer a transition in Venezuela that is acceptable for both its domestic and foreign policy, leveraging the influence it gained from the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores over both the regime and the opposition.

And the opposition has entered a situation of undeclared conflict. In just a few days, the opposition landscape has shifted in unimaginable ways, with the perception of inaction from María Corina Machado, the sudden emergence of Enrique Márquez during the State of the Union address, and the rest of the opposition reassessing its options.

The inevitable amid uncertainty

The path toward a transition at this moment is uncertain. The regime is seeking a balance between satisfying US demands while avoiding, as much as possible, the deterioration of its own internal political and economic arrangements. At the same time, it continues to move quickly to consolidate control over the process, and more and more details are emerging about how it is setting the guidelines for the Rodríguez siblings. For instance, the visit this week by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

The opposition universe appears to be an earthquake, above all amid the practical disappearance of María Corina Machado from public debate and, more recently, the “Márquez effect,” whose medium or long-term impact remains uncertain. Where there is consensus, however, is on the need for a new election. Marco Rubio, María Corina Machado, and now Enrique Márquez are on the same page: there must be new elections that legitimize the political transition. As for the Rodrigato, we can imagine what it thinks about that.

A new election to choose the opposition’s presidential candidate would be a way to confront several elephants in the room.

Until just a few days ago, it would have been easy to argue that the opposition’s presidential candidate should be Machado. After all, the results of July 28, 2024 were fundamentally the result of her leadership, and she would have been the presidential candidate if the Maduro regime had allowed it.

But Márquez’s appearance in Washington DC and his subsequent press conference suggested that this Zuliano “black swan” could be acting with the acquiescence of both the Rodrigato and the Trump administration. Evidence of this includes Márquez being invited to Trump’s address, as well as his comments about a figure as close to the Rodríguez siblings as José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

For that reason, it now seems that there will be an election sooner or later. It also seems that, as things stand today, we could head into that election with at least two candidates on the opposition side.

That would be a good scenario for the Rodrigato.

New primaries

In times of legitimacy crisis, the proper course is to look to the sovereign. Given everything that has happened, it seems necessary to call a new primary vote to choose an opposition candidate—whoever the Rodrigato’s candidate may be—in the presidential election that must take place given Maduro’s absolute absence.

A new election to choose the opposition’s presidential candidate would be a way to confront several elephants in the room. The first is the need to present the other two actors (the regime and the United States) with an electoral calendar that should not be unnecessarily delayed. The second is the convenience of unifying and strengthening party structures. If the process is well managed, it could encourage a reunion of the different opposition forces around a common and higher objective.

Another elephant shaking Venezuela’s narrow public space is the urgency of restarting citizen mobilization around a concrete political initiative. Finally, those primaries could once again make it possible to go into a presidential election with a single candidate, preventing the regime from promoting multiple “opposition” candidacies to divide the electorate.

The primaries that chose Henrique Capriles as the candidate for the 2012 presidential election, and the primaries that selected María Corina Machado as the candidate for the 2024 presidential election, were good precedents for successfully resolving several political problems. Considering the sovereign is a good idea, or at least most of the time.

Feb. 27 (Asia Today) — The People Power Party on Thursday condemned a joint prosecutors-police raid on its headquarters as a politically motivated investigation and warned it could resort to what it called “extraordinary measures.”

The joint investigation team earlier in the day searched the party’s central office in Yeouido and a company managing its membership list as part of a probe into allegations that members of the religious group Shincheonji were improperly enrolled as party members during the 2021 presidential primary.

According to reports, the warrant cited alleged violations of the Political Parties Act and obstruction of business.

In a statement, senior party spokesperson Park Sung-hoon called the search “a targeted investigation against the main opposition party,” alleging it was intended to deflect criticism over the ruling party’s handling of controversial judicial reform bills.

“This is blatant oppression of the opposition,” Park said, accusing investigative agencies of acting as “shields for those in power while wielding swords against the opposition.”

Party lawmakers also questioned why other allegations involving figures linked to the ruling camp had not seen similar investigative momentum.

Rep. Joo Jin-woo cited bribery allegations involving former Oceans Minister Jeon Jae-soo, claiming the joint team was prioritizing action against the opposition while sidelining probes into ruling party figures. He called for the immediate appointment of a special prosecutor.

Rep. Jin Jong-oh urged authorities to apply the same investigative standards to the ruling Democratic Party, while floor leader Song Eon-seok described the situation as “suppression and annihilation of the opposition,” warning that the party would mobilize “extraordinary measures” in response.

Following news of the search, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and other senior officials went to the headquarters to review the warrant with legal advisers and discuss countermeasures.

The investigation centers on claims that Shincheonji officials directed followers to register as responsible party members during the 2021 primary process. Authorities have not publicly detailed specific findings.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260227010008383

Mérida, February 23, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan National Assembly passed the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence on Thursday, January 19. 

The government, led by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, immediately enacted the legislation and presented it as a step toward “peace and tolerance.”

The law establishes mechanisms that aim to promote political reconciliation through a blanket amnesty for crimes or offenses committed in the context of political violence between 1999 and 2026. The final document explicitly lists high-profile contexts, including the 2002 coup against then-President Hugo Chávez, the 2014 and 2017 opposition-led violent “guarimba” street protests, and the unrest following the July 2024 presidential elections.

“This law is guided by principles of freedom, justice, equality, […] the primacy of human rights, and political diversity,” article 3 reads.

Article 7 of the amnesty bill defines the ethical and constitutional scope of the pardon, expressly excluding those who have participated in serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, or war crimes, in accordance with Article 29 of the Venezuelan Constitution.

The legislation also excludes those prosecuted for or convicted of homicide, corruption offenses while in public office, and drug trafficking with sentences exceeding nine years.

During a press conference at the National Assembly, the head of parliament Jorge Rodríguez stated that the new law represents “a step forward to avoid the mistakes of the past.” 

“I believe that this law recognizes the victims in its articles and represents a step toward avoiding the mistakes of the past,” he told reporters. “This sends a powerful message that we can live, work, and grow politically within the framework established by the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”

During the Thursday session, opposition Deputy Henry Falcón from the Democratic Alliance affirmed that “amnesty is an opportunity that the state offers to forget. We cannot cling to past differences in the face of a higher interest: the country itself.”

After twenty days of consultations and debates and three two legislative debates, Jorge Rodríguez presented the final text that was unanimously endorsed by all 277 deputies. He also announced the creation of a Special Monitoring Commission, chaired by Jorge Arreaza (United Socialist Party of Venezuela, PSUV) and Nora Bracho (A New Era, UNT). This commission is responsible for ensuring the law’s implementation and addressing requests for release.

At a special ceremony held at Miraflores Palace on Thursday evening, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez formally received the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence following approval by the legislature and called for national reconciliation.

“This amnesty law opens an extraordinary door for Venezuela to come together again, to learn to live together democratically and peacefully, and to rid itself of hatred and intolerance,” she expressed. “ 

Regarding the exclusions contemplated, Rodríguez asked the Commission for the Judicial Revolution, chaired by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, to review cases not covered by the amnesty and formulate recommendations to “heal wounds.”

The president of the legislature’s special commission, Jorge Arreaza, stated on a televised interview that the first 379 amnesty applications had been processed, primarily in Caracas.

“Both the Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office have received 379 requests for amnesty,” he explained. “These individuals should be released in the coming hours. This process will continue in the coming days.”

Parliamentary leader Jorge Rodríguez said on Saturday that there are a further 1,500 cases being revised.

Meanwhile, Ernesto Villegas, minister of culture and coordinator of the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, reported on his Telegram channel a meeting with campesino, tenant, and labor organizations to discuss cases of activists facing legal proceedings due to social struggles over land, housing, and employment. These groups were not explicitly contemplated among the direct beneficiaries of the law.

The grassroots collectives denounced the criminalization of their social demands and provided concrete information that will be forwarded to the relevant authorities in coordination with the National Assembly’s special commission.

The meeting hosted by Villegas also saw relatives of individuals imprisoned for alleged corruption in the public sector criticize the penal system and advocate for their loved ones’ rights.

The Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence promised to promptly send the complaints to the relevant bodies and encourage corrective actions.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

UCLA has canceled an upcoming lecture featuring CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

Weiss was scheduled to give the annual Daniel Pearl Memorial lecture on Feb. 27, about “The Future of Journalism.” But according to the university, the program will not move forward as scheduled, after Weiss’ team withdrew from the event.

A source familiar with the UCLA program said the lecture was canceled due to security concerns from Weiss, despite the public university offering to obtain additional security for the event, the source said. The Daniel Pearl Memorial lecture series honors the late journalist and is considered the capstone of the university’s Burkle Center for International Relations. Previous speakers include journalists Jake Tapper, Anderson Cooper and Bob Woodward.

According to the source, several employees at both the Burkle Center and the International Institute expressed opposition to Weiss speaking on campus. The university was also expecting a large number of students to protest the event.

Neither Weiss nor CBS immediately responded to a request for comment.

Weiss founded the media company, The Free Press, which was purchased in October by Paramount, CBS’ parent company. Following the $150 million purchase, Weiss was installed as editor-in-chief of CBS News.

Two months after taking on the new role, Weiss made the widely panned decision to pull a “60 Minutes” episode that examined the alleged abuse of deportees sent from the U.S. to an El Salvador prison. The decision earned Weiss heavy criticism and accusations that the move was politically motivated.

The canceled UCLA lecture comes at a time of ongoing organizational upheaval at CBS, which this week made headlines amid an escalating battle with its own late-night talk host, Stephen Colbert, over the FCC’s effort to enact stricter enforcement of the equal-time rule.

Feb. 15 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties continued trading barbs over real estate policy during the Lunar New Year holiday, clashing over multi-home ownership among lawmakers and President Lee Jae-myung’s personal property.

The liberal Democratic Party of Korea stepped up criticism of lawmakers from the conservative People Power Party, saying 42 PPP legislators own multiple homes.

In a written briefing Sunday, Democratic Party floor spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung said PPP members were “keeping silent about their own multiple properties” while criticizing Lee, who owns one home.

She said PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk owns six houses and accused the party of defending what she described as “unearned real estate income.”

The PPP rejected the criticism as exaggerated and politically motivated.

Chief floor spokesperson Choi Eun-seok said the Democratic Party was “blowing out of proportion” the fact that some PPP lawmakers own multiple homes in an attempt to portray the entire party as defenders of windfall profits.

“Compete with real policies, not divisive tactics,” Choi said.

The PPP also renewed calls for Lee to sell his Bundang apartment, after the president described it as “a home to return to after retirement.” Party officials argued that Lee’s position reflects a double standard that limits citizens’ property rights while making exceptions for himself.

Senior spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon said a policy that “pressures the public while making exceptions for the president” would neither stabilize housing prices nor restore trust.

The exchange comes as Lee has posted a series of social media messages targeting multi-home ownership, keeping real estate policy at the center of political debate.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260215010005201

“In the interest of the country, we must remain united.” Bangladeshi Prime Minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman urged opposition parties to work with the incoming BNP government after its landslide victory in the first elections since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.

Mérida, February 9, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan National Assembly has launched discussions on a preliminarily-approved “Amnesty Bill for Democratic Coexistence,” including public consultations with community peace judges, NGOs and academics. 

Deputy Jorge Arreaza, who heads the parliament’s special commission for the amnesty bill, said that the legislature’s intention was to shape the law as a mechanism to ensure political stability in Venezuela but without impunity.

“The goal of this law is to contribute to peace, democratic coexistence and national reconciliation,” he explained during a meeting with community peace judges on Sunday. “It is a necessity of the new political moment we are going through.” Arreaza had previously served as Foreign Minister and Communes Minister.

The National Assembly commission’s consultations included a meeting with NGOs such as Provea, Foro Penal, and Acceso a la Justicia on Saturday. One they earlier, the legislators hosted deans from sixteen public and private university law schools to receive their input on the project. 

During these meetings, Arreaza stressed the importance of community justice participation, civil society organisations and academia. 

“We went to the law, reviewed each of the contributions, and will conduct an evaluation. We must contribute to the dialogue; we must listen to each other with patience and empathy,” he emphasized.

The Amnesty Bill for Democratic Coexistence, first announced by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez on January 30, was approved in its first reading on Thursday. A revised text is expected to be submitted to a final vote in the coming weeks.

The central stated objective of the initiative is national reconciliation and social peace through the pardon of political and related crimes committed between January 1, 1999, and January 30, 2026. 

According to Venezuelan authorities, the project aims to address the political conflict that occurred between 1999 and 2026 by channelling differences through constitutional means, as well as modernise the legal system to help secure social peace.

The bill’s Article 6 explains that the selected period covers significant conflicts such as the 2002 coup d’État, the 2002-03 oil lockout and opposition-led violent street protests in 2013, 2014 and 2017.

However, the bill sets strict limits, excluding those responsible for serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, homicide, drug trafficking, and corruption from any benefits. In addition to the release of those who have been prosecuted or convicted, the law establishes the termination of legal proceedings and the removal of criminal records from police and military files for those who benefit from it.

The Venezuelan government’s consultations likewise included a meeting between Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in Caracas on Friday. Zapatero, who has mediated past dialogue initiatives with the Venezuelan opposition, expressed his support for the Amnesty Bill, considering that it will mark “a turning point” for the country’s future and reconciliation.

He emphasized that the amnesty should be as extensive as possible and implemented swiftly to meet the expectations of families affected by arrests. Zapatero pledged to assist in any requested way, arguing that forgiveness and dialogue are essential elements in what he described as an “extraordinary moment” for the Caribbean nation.

Amid amnesty debates, the Committee of Family and Friends for the Freedom of Imprisoned Workers demanded that the legislation extend to imprisoned workers who have been criminalized on charges of ‘terrorism’ and ‘treason’ for defending labor rights or speaking out against corruption.

In a statement, the committee argued that the amnesty should not be limited to high-profile political figures, but rather apply to working-class and grassroots activists as well. 

Investigative blog La Tabla also put forward a proposal to expand the removal of charges and convictions to campesino leaders who have been targeted amid ongoing land struggles. In recent years, rural organizations have denounced a growing criminalization of local activists, accusing judicial authorities of favoring landowning interests.

Releases of high-profile opposition figures continue

In recent days, Venezuelan judicial authorities have continued a process of prisoner releases which, according to the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, are intended to promote national reconciliation. The Venezuelan government has reported around 900 releases since December.

Rodríguez recently announced that further detainees would be released this week, describing the process as an “act of justice and forgiveness.” The people released are still facing trial, with charges against high-profile anti-government figures including “terrorism” and “treason.”

NGO Foro Penal reported the release of dozens of opposition politicians on Sunday, including several associates of far-right leader María Corina Machado. However, hours after exiting prison, former Deputy Juan Pablo Guanipa was arrested again in Caracas.

The Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office published a statement arguing that Guanipa had violated the conditions of his release, though it did not offer specifics, and requesting a court order to move him to house arrest.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

World News // 3 hours ago

Hong Kong sentences pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison

Feb. 8 (UPI) — A Hong Kong court on Monday sentenced Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure and the founder of the now-defunct progressive Apple Daily, to 20 years in prison.

Feb. 8 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s main opposition party on Saturday criticized a U.S. congressional subpoena issued to Coupang’s Korea unit that explicitly names President Lee Jae-myung, calling it a “national embarrassment” and demanding an explanation from the government.

The People Power Party reacted after the U.S. House Judiciary Committee disclosed a subpoena sent to Coupang Korea’s interim chief executive that cites actions by South Korean authorities and public remarks by Lee.

Choi Bo-yoon, the party’s chief spokesperson, said it was troubling that the president’s full name appeared in an official document issued by a foreign legislature.

“The problem is that the public has no way of knowing what the government and the presidential office did – or failed to do – before the president’s name appeared in a U.S. congressional subpoena,” Choi said. “This is an unprecedented embarrassment for the country.”

Choi said the document details actions taken by South Korean government agencies, including the Fair Trade Commission, references to possible business suspensions, large-scale investigations and repeated data requests, as well as the president’s public comments.

“This issue goes beyond an individual case involving Coupang,” Choi said. “It reflects a situation in which presidential remarks and the government’s response have been elevated into a formal issue before the U.S. Congress.”

He added that the subpoena quoted Lee’s remarks calling for “strong punishment and massive fines,” arguing that the matter had shifted from a domestic personal data protection issue into an international dispute framed as discrimination against a U.S. company.

Choi also called for senior officials to provide an explanation, saying the silence of the presidential chief of staff, national security adviser and prime minister was unacceptable given the sensitivity of the situation.

“This comes at a time when tariff negotiations, technology regulation and platform legislation are all moving simultaneously between South Korea and the United States,” he said. “The government should have anticipated U.S. concerns and managed them proactively.”

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee posted the subpoena on its website Wednesday, alleging that the South Korean government discriminated against Coupang.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260209010002883

Machado ally says ‘there’s a lot to talk about regarding the present and future of Venezuela’ after release.

Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa has been freed from jail, his family said in a statement.

Guanipa’s release on Sunday is the latest high-profile liberation by the government in Caracas, which is under pressure from the United States to free political prisoners.

Rights group Foro Penal says it has verified 383 liberations of political prisoners since the government announced a new series of releases on January 8.

“Ten months in hiding and almost nine months detained here,” Guanipa said after being released.

“There’s a lot to talk about regarding the present and future of Venezuela, always with the truth front and centre.”

Guanipa, a well-known politician in Venezuela and a close ally of Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, was arrested in May 2025 after months in hiding for allegedly leading a “terrorist” plot. His family and political movement have strenuously denied the allegations.

Earlier this month, Guanipa’s family said they had also been able to see him in person for the first time in months, and that he was in good physical health.

Machado celebrated Guanipa’s release in a statement on X, calling for all political prisoners to be released.

Exiled Venezuelan opposition figurehead Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia also demanded “the immediate release” of all political prisoners.

“These releases are not synonymous with full and complete freedom,” he posted on X.

“As long as legal proceedings remain open and restrictive measures, threats or surveillance remain, the persecution continues,” he added.

Venezuela’s opposition and human rights groups have said for years that the country’s government uses detentions to stamp out dissent.

The government has, however, denied holding political prisoners and says those jailed have committed crimes.

The country’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez has also announced a proposed “amnesty law” for hundreds of prisoners in the country, and said the infamous Helicoide detention centre in Caracas, which rights groups have long denounced as the site of prisoner abuse, will be converted into a centre for sport and social services in the capital.

The legislation, which would grant immediate clemency to people jailed for participating in political protests or critiquing public figures, return assets of those detained and cancel Interpol and other international measures previously issued by the government – passed in an initial vote at the National Assembly this week. It will, however, need to be approved a second time to become law.

Rodriguez, who took office after the US abducted and deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro last month, has been releasing the political prisoners and complying with US demands on oil deals.