STORY: Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero met Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez in Caracas on Tuesday (March 17) to support the country's amnesty process for people considered political prisoners.

In his remarks, Zapatero said most Venezuelans wanted amnesty, coexistence and economic progress, and he called on those with influence over Venezuela, especially the United States, to help the economy improve.

Rodriguez said Venezuelans living abroad who believed they could be covered by the law, or by extensions handled through the follow-up commission, should contact the commission in writing or through their lawyers so their cases could be processed.

Zapatero went to Venezuela on Tuesday to accompany and support the amnesty process promoted in the country. The Amnesty law was approved by the legislature in February as part of a strategy aimed at reducing political tensions and facilitating the return of citizens and political leaders who want to reintegrate into public life.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO MEETING VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, JORGE RODRIGUEZ OVER VENEZUELA AMNESTY LAW / SOUNDBITES FROM ZAPATERO AND RODRIGUEZ

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (MARCH 17, 2026) (VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT JORGE RODRIGUEZ WITH FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO DURING A MEETING WITH THE COMMISSION FOR THE AMNESTY LAW FOR DEMOCRATIC COEXISTENCE

2. ZAPATERO DURING A MEETING WITH THE COMMISSION FOR THE AMNESTY LAW FOR DEMOCRATIC COEXISTENCE

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER, JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, SAYING:

[SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER VARIOUS SHOTS OF ZAPATERO AND RODRIGUEZ]

"I am convinced that the overwhelming majority of Venezuelans want this amnesty, want coexistence, and want economic progress. I want those who are in a position to act to do what they can so the economy improves as soon as possible, especially the United States and all the powers it holds in relation to Venezuela. If they want that stable Venezuela they speak about, then they should help the economy, and Venezuela will always be a loyal friend of the United States."

4. RODRIGUEZ GIVING SPEECH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, JORGE RODRIGUEZ, SAYING:

[SOUNDBITE STARTS OVER SHOT OF JOURNALIST FILMING AND CONTINUES OVER VARIOUS SHOTS OF RODRIGUEZ]

"We are proposing that this week anyone who believes they may fall under the Amnesty Law and who lives abroad, or anyone who believes they could be covered by the Amnesty Law or by the extensions made through the work of the follow-up commission, should now contact the follow-up commission in writing or through their lawyers so their cases can be processed. Some people have already done so personally and in advance, but I think this is a good time to move forward and speed up that process."

6. RODRIGUEZ WITH ZAPATERO DURING A MEETING WITH THE COMMISSION FOR THE AMNESTY LAW FOR DEMOCRATIC COEXISTENCE

7. MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION

8. RODRIGUEZ AND ZAPATERO