Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has vetoed a legislation that would give amnesty to activists whom the opposition describes as political prisoners.
According to ABC News, the opposition-controlled congress passed the bill that would allow the release of dozens of prisoners which are connected to the opposing party of the socialist administration by the late President Hugo Chavez 17 years ago.
The amnesty targets to release 75 opposing figures including one of the most controversial personalities, protest leader Leopoldo Lopez. Lopez started a violent protest against the government which shook the country and left 43 people dead. He was then sentenced to 14 years in prison.
President Maduro said the plans of the opposition in passing the bill will only create a division. He added that if the bill will become a law, Venezuela will enter into a civil war. He reiterated that hatred will not reign in Venezuela and justice should be achieved if they want peace in their country.
According to The Washington Post, the Supreme Court has already blocked the National Assembly at every turn since the opposition took over the body. The justices are also expected to stop the legislation before it becomes a law.
The National Assembly and Maduro have been in a gridlock ever since the opposition won the control of the legislature. The National Assembly supporters had just organized a campaign to recall the votes in order to remove the president before his term ends in the year 2019 as per the Business Standard.
Because of the deep recession, severe shortage and violent crimes the country is experiencing, Venezuela has decided to give the opposition a landslide victory during the last legislative elections. This has been considered the biggest challenge to the government administration since the time of Hugo Chavez.
President Maduro, however, announced that he will launch a truth, justice and reparation commission who will look into the case of opposition activists.
