Overview
- U.S. State Department subsecretary Cartwright Weiland told Congress that Washington will not prevent Machado from traveling back to Venezuela but said officials must secure assurances she will not be arrested on entry.
- Weiland warned that Venezuela’s amnesty law, as written, does not eliminate the risk of detention because it excludes some cases and requires people abroad to present themselves in person to seek benefits.
- Activists reported the release of opposition ex-deputy José “Mazuco” Sánchez on Wednesday, July 15, under the amnesty after nearly two years in custody and with reported serious health problems from cancer and poor prison conditions.
- Human-rights groups say the releases have been selective and that hundreds of political detainees remain locked up in harsh conditions, with El Rodeo I prison reported to have structural damage from the June 24 earthquakes.
- The U.S. stance shifts the debate from travel logistics to broader guarantees for exiles and prisoners, and could prompt diplomacy focused on changes to the amnesty text or specific security commitments from Venezuelan authorities.