Human Rights Watch (HRW) published on Wednesday a report documenting serious human rights violations committed by Venezuelan authorities and pro-government armed groups during the aftermath of the 2024 presidential elections.
HRW presents evidence on the killings, cases of torture, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions perpetrated by armed groups supporting the government called colectivos, and security forces under the new government of Nicolas Maduro. Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at HRW, said, “The Venezuelan government has killed, tortured, detained, and forcefully disappeared people seeking democratic change.” HRW calls on governments to hold Maduro and armed groups accountable for rights violations committed and press the government to ensure improvements, the release of those arbitrarily detained, and negotiations with opposition leaders to promote democracy.
The report evidences that 24 people were killed during protests against the election results. Some of these deaths were attributed to security forces and others to pro-government armed groups. Moreover, as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) confirmed, more than 2,000 individuals have been arbitrarily detained during this period. Around 126 rights defenders were also arrested in Venezuela between September 2024 and January 2025. This occurs as Venezuelan law allows for the detention of individuals who conspire against the government.
Despite the Venezuelan Attorney General announcing the release of 200 detainees in December 2024, HRW claims that many were forced not to disclose information on their detention or publicly claim their rights were respected. The report of HRW shows 2,224 victims of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in 2024, some of which may amount to cases of torture. Arbitrary detentions, inhuman treatment, torture, and killings are all violations of fundamental rights protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The 2024 Venezuelan presidential elections were nothing but controversial. While the Venezuelan Supreme Court validated Maduro’s reelection, top election officials recognized irregularities during the closing of voting polls. EU countries demanded voting records to be released, and countries like Peru recognized opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as President-elect of Venezuela. HRW also called on the UN to publish the Electoral Technical Team’s findings on the Venezuelan elections to ensure the democratic process is respected.
