India, Feb. 1 -- Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Friday announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons. The measure had long been sought by the United States-backed opposition. It is the latest concession Rodriguez has made since taking the reins of the country on January 3 after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolas Maduro in a US military attack in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.

Rodriguez told a gathering of justices, magistrates, ministers, military brass and other Government leaders that the ruling party-controlled National Assembly would take up the bill with urgency. "May this...