The Venezuelan dictatorship’s release of some political prisoners and its passage of what it calls a general amnesty law no doubt represent moves in the right direction. But the amnesty is only partial, leaving in place the Chavistas’ entire apparatus of repression and showing, contrary to President Trump’s claims, that the regime remains very much in control of the country.

The amnesty law applies to just 13 specific episodes of “violence” since 1999. That means that, according to Foro Penal, the amnesty has no bearing on 15 of the 28 years covered. The law also explicitly excludes nearly 200 members of the military who remain in prison and anybody who has “favored” military action against Venezuela. Thus, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and most of the country’s opposition that represents the vast majority of Venezuelans, are excluded from the amnesty.

The law refers to the accused as criminals and the regime as magnanimous. Opposition figure David Smolansky barely exaggerated when he summarized the regime’s position thusly: “After fabricating a crime, I forgive you for not committing it, and incidentally, forgive me for imprisoning you, torturing you, harassing your family, threatening you in the state media, and forcing you into exile.”

Far from promoting national reconciliation, it has become clear that the regime is doing the least possible to satisfy Washington’s demands to reduce repression while maintaining as much authoritarian control as it can.

Is this really Washington’s idea of being in charge and leading a transition?