Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday granted an amnesty to many prisoners, especially to his opponents accused of backing a failed 2002 coup against him.
Chavez said the amnesty decree would also pardon others accused of attempting to overthrow the government or to murder him in recent years.
"Nobody (in Venezuela) can talk about political prisoners," Chavez told state television on New Year's Eve. "It's a matter of turning the page ... We want a country that moves toward peace."
"We want there to be a strong ideological and political debate but in peaceful conditions." he added.
Those pardoned include opponents accused of taking over Venezuela's state television channel during the coup, and others who sought to sabotage the oil industry during an opposition-led strike that followed, Chavez said.
The amnesty will not apply to those who have violated justice and fled charges in the country, he added.
The president said 36 common prisoners were also pardoned and had already been released on Monday.
In 2002, Chavez was ousted by dissident military officers, but loyalist generals restored him to power within two days amid street protests by his supporters.
Source: Xinhua
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