A new report by independent U.N. human rights experts has highlighted Venezuela’s government’s intensified use of violent repression tools following the disputed presidential election in July 2024. The official election results, which declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner, have been criticized as undemocratic and lacking transparency.
The fact-finding mission commissioned by the U.N. Human Rights Council denounced violations such as arbitrary detentions, torture, and sexual violence, suggesting these actions amounted to crimes against humanity in the form of political persecution.
The report covers a period up to August 2024, emphasizing a marked increase in state repression after the election. The experts documented mass arrests, with over 2,200 people detained, including 158 children, some of whom were accused of terrorism.
The systematic nature of these actions indicates a deliberate strategy to silence dissent. High-profile arrests include U.S. nationals, Spaniards, and a Czech citizen, all accused of plotting destabilization. The involvement of foreign nationals in alleged plots has added an international dimension to the repression.
UN Report Exposes Venezuela’s Escalated Repression and Human Rights Violations After Contested Election
The election itself was mired in controversy, with Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, dominated by Maduro loyalists, declaring his victory with 52% of the vote.
However, opposition supporters claim that tallies from 80% of the voting machines show that opposition leader Edmundo González had won by a significant margin. Despite calls for transparency, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice, aligned with Maduro, reaffirmed his victory, fueling protests across the country.
In the aftermath of the election, protests erupted nationwide, with citizens demonstrating peacefully and occasionally resorting to vandalism, such as toppling statues and attacking government property.
The government responded with force, including arbitrary arrests and a campaign urging citizens to report protesters. Repressive measures targeted opposition members, with over 140 arrests, including leaders from seven political parties, reflecting levels of repression unseen since 2019.
The U.N. experts compiled their report through hundreds of interviews and document reviews, though they faced obstacles, as the Venezuelan authorities ignored their requests for information.
The report underscores the systematic efforts of Maduro’s government to maintain power through repression, highlighting the subordination of Venezuela’s judicial system to the political leadership and the ongoing suppression of political opposition.
