STORY: Spanish former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero met Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Friday (February 6) in Caracas to discuss the amnesty process for political prisoners, local media reported.

Zapatero, who served as the Spanish PM for more than seven years from 2004-2011, has played a leading role as mediator in Venezuela for the past decade.

After the talks, which were also included by Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, Zapatero said that he was hopeful the amnesty process would be fast, according to local media.

Jorge Rodriguez said on Friday that all prisoners expected to be granted clemency by a pending amnesty law could walk free within a week.

On Thursday, the amnesty bill passed unanimously in the first of two necessary votes at the National Assembly, which is controlled by the socialist ruling party.

"I met with the former president Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, reaffirming our commitment to the Programme for Democratic Coexistence and Peace, in favour of dialogue among Venezuelans, national unity, and the stability of our Republic," Delcy Rodriguez posted on her X account.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (FEBRUARY 6, 2026) (VTV – Access all)

1. (NIGHT SHOT) EXTERIOR VIEW OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE MIRAFLORES

2. SPANISH FORMER PRIME MINISTER JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO DURING MEETING

3. ZAPATERO AND VENEZUELAN INTERIM PRESIDENT, DELCY RODRIGUEZ, DURING MEETING

4. VARIOUS OF ZAPATERO, RODRIGUEZ AND VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT JORGE RODRIGUEZ DURING MEETING

5. VARIOUS OF ZAPATERO AND VENEZUELAN LEADERSHIP WALKING IN CORRIDOR