Pakistan, Feb. 7 -- Venezuela's parliament chief Jorge Rodriguez promised the speedy release of political prisoners during a meeting with their families. He said the government would correct past mistakes. Rodriguez set a deadline of February 13 for the prisoners to be freed.

Rodriguez met families outside the notorious Zona 7 detention center in Caracas. He assured them the law would repair all Chavismo-era injustices. He did not confirm if the promise covers all 700 prisoners or only those at Zona 7.

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The meeting followed the National Assembly's initial approval of a draft amnesty. The law aims to free dissidents jailed under socialist rule. However, opposition grou...