Repression continues in Venezuela amid ‘horrific’ human rights violations

At the Fuerte Guaicaipuro military facility, detainees are confined in pit-like cells dug beneath the surface of the ground, exposed to cold temperatures, lack of food and other degrading practices that the UN classifies as torture.

These observations are from an independent party Fact-Finding Mission in Venezuela published on Tuesday is part of broader findings: after President Nicolás Maduro was brought back by the US military in early January, state institutions responsible for repression, gross human rights violations, and crimes against humanity remained essentially intact.

Despite some improvements since the change of government – ​​most notably a significant reduction in the number of long-term detentions, enforced disappearances, and the release of hundreds of political prisoners – Venezuelans continue to experience serious human rights violations.

There is no institutional reform

The independent one Human Rights Council appointed investigators in Venezuela found it many of the laws used to criminalize opposition remain in effect, and the country’s intelligence agencies and security forces maintain essentially the same structures, policies, and practices.

No steps were taken to disarm or dismantle the “colectivos” (pro-Government armed civil groups) which are a source of intimidation, violence and human rights violations against the community.

At least 19 officials previously identified by the Mission for their involvement in serious violations still serve, or have been transferred to, key positions – while past human rights violations and crimes remain unpunished.

Journalists and other civil society actors also continue to be hampered in their daily work.

“That It is necessary to reduce some of the harshest forms of oppression, but this does not yet mean transforming the systems that enable this oppression to occur.,” said Sofía Macher, Head of Mission.

Arbitrary arrest

Between September 1, 2025 and July 29, 2026, civil society organizations recorded at least 214 arbitrary detentions for political reasons, although 94 percent of these occurred before the end of 2025.

Following January 3 and the US arrest of former President Maduro, the mission identified a recurring pattern of short-term arbitrary arrests aimed at intimidating opposition activists, journalists and other civil society actors.

Although the release of dissidents following US intervention has reduced the number of political prisoners significantly, non-governmental organizations estimate that between 379 and 500 people remain detained – in the absence of official, transparent and verifiable information making it difficult to determine a more precise number.

The torture continued

The mission documented torture and ill-treatment of people detained for political reasons. 64 new cases of torture were discovered after January 3 aloneindicating that these practices are still widespread.

It was also discovered that hundreds of people were being held in State facilities loss of access to safe drinking water, adequate food, medicine and health services, leading to many deaths in detention.

Victor Quero Navasa street vendor arrested for unclear reasons in January 2025, has become the face of oppression against Venezuelan prisoners.

He died in custody while subjected to enforced disappearance, due to acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary thromboembolism.

His mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, spent 16 months searching for him in detention centers, courthouses, public offices and even the morgue, and was only told in May 2026 that her son had died in custody almost a year earlier.

Ten days after learning of his death, he too died.

“We call on state authorities to take firm steps towards accountability and adopt a victim-centered transitional justice framework” insisted María Eloisa Quintero, one of the mission experts.

“Venezuela should also reverse its withdrawal from the Rome Statute International Criminal Court and cooperate fully with the Court and other international human rights mechanisms,” he added.

“Impunity that has been entrenched for years must be replaced with accountability.”