In the aftermath of Venezuela’s contentious presidential election on July 28, 2024, the government of President Nicolás Maduro has unleashed a severe crackdown on protesters and critics, committing widespread human rights violations, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Killings and Mass Arrests
HRW has documented that Venezuelan authorities and pro-government armed groups known as “colectivos” have committed killings, arbitrary detentions, and harassment of opposition leaders and protesters following the election. The organization received credible reports of 23 killings in the context of protests from independent local groups, including Foro Penal, Justicia Encuentro y Perdón, Monitor de Víctimas, and Provea. HRW independently verified 11 of these cases, reviewing death certificates, videos, photographs, and interviewing witnesses.
According to Venezuelan officials, over 2,400 people have been arrested in connection with the protests. Foro Penal, a local pro bono group, recorded more than 1,580 “political prisoners” arrested since July 29, including 114 children. Prosecutors have charged hundreds with broadly defined crimes carrying harsh sentences, such as “incitement to hatred,” “resistance to authority,” and “terrorism.”
Disputed Election Results
The election results have been widely disputed both domestically and internationally. The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced that Maduro had won the election with over 51% of the vote, but has not released the tally sheets or conducted the audits and citizen verification processes required by law. The opposition’s Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) released vote tallies indicating that opposition candidate Edmundo González had won by a significant margin.
The United Nations Electoral Technical Team and the Carter Center, which observed the elections, said the process lacked transparency and integrity, and questioned the declared result. They indicated that the precinct-level tally sheets made public by the opposition were reliable.
International Condemnation
The repression has been widely condemned by international organizations and governments. Amnesty International, together with eleven other human rights groups, published a statement condemning the “repressive actions of the Nicolás Maduro regime” and demanding that it guarantee the right to protest and respect human rights. The U.S. Department of State and the Organization of American States have also condemned the ongoing violence and repression.
Ongoing Protests and Crackdown
Despite the crackdown, protesters continue to take to the streets across Venezuela, particularly in low-income areas traditionally supportive of the Chavismo movement. The government has intensified its repressive tactics, canceling passports of critics, encouraging citizens to report on demonstrators, and conducting abusive raids, especially in poor communities.
“The brutality of the repression we are witnessing in Venezuela is alarmingly severe,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “It is imperative for concerned governments to take immediate measures to safeguard the rights of individuals to protest peacefully and to ensure their votes are honored.”
As Venezuela grapples with the aftermath of the disputed election, the international community must continue to closely monitor the situation and press for accountability for human rights violations. The Venezuelan people deserve to have their voices heard and their rights respected, regardless of their political affiliations.
By Joseph Johnston
Youth Editor
Egogonews hub
