Among those granted to pardons were political opponents who are in prison, have taken refuge in foreign embassies in Caracas or fled the country.

The country’s largest political amnesty in almost a decade has come ahead of congressional elections set for December 6.

The opposition parties that make up the opposition coalition Democratic Unity Roundtable agreed unanimously to not participate in the election, citing irregularities complaints during the planning of the process and arguing that it was likely they would be fraudulent.

Twenty-seven political parties signed the agreement, including the four largest opposition parties Popular Will, Justice First, Democratic Action and A New Era.

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet welcomed the pardon of 110 political opponents in Venezuela.

“I welcome the decision of the President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro to pardon 110 people, most of them Venezuelan politicians who were imprisoned, in exile or under precautionary measures. The pardon closes criminal proceedings against them and grants them unconditional freedom. The measure will benefit many legislators who had been stripped of their parliamentary immunity, as well as political advisors and other politicians,” she said.

“This decision is a positive step in efforts to open up the democratic space and improve the human rights situation in the country. My Office will continue to support processes by which people are being released and institutional strengthening in the field of human rights,” she added. (ILKHA)