Political persecution in Venezuela is on the rise, a UN-backed fact-finding mission reported Monday, calling on the international community to take swift action.
"More than a year after the presidential elections of July 28, 2024, we have observed an intensification of state repression, growing persecution against voices critical of the government, and entrenched impunity," the mission's chair, Marta Valinas, said at a press conference.
"Given the subordination of the judicial system to the government's repressive police... victims have no choice but to turn to the international community to seek justice," added Patricia Tappatá Valdez, another member of the mission.
In September 2019, the UN extended its monitoring of the situation in Venezuela after the UN Human Rights Council created the independent fact-finding mission.
The mission, which does not represent the UN, documented at least 200 arrests between January and late August 2025.
"In the first half of September... at least 14 more people were arrested," Valinas said.
The unrest following the contested 2024 presidential elections, won by Nicolas Maduro despite accusations of fraud from the opposition, resulted in 28 deaths and 2,400 arrests.
Approximately 2,000 people have since been released, according to official figures.
"Evidence obtained by the Fact-Finding Mission... confirms that the crime of persecution on political grounds continues to be committed in Venezuela, with no national authority demonstrating the will to prevent, prosecute, or punish the serious human rights violations," these serious human rights violations, noted Valinas.
For several years, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity committed by the Venezuelan government during a storm of nationwide protests in 2017, during which more than 100 people were killed.
"It (the ICC investigation) has taken, in our view, too long. The documentation is there. Documentation is available. We do respect, of course, their procedures, their independence, but we believe victims can't wait," stated Francisco Cox Vial, another member of the mission.
In January, Argentina filed a complaint with the ICC against Venezuela for the "forced disappearance and arbitrary detention" of an Argentine police officer, Nahuel Gallo, who was detained under accusations of "terrorism".
