International

Venezuela Escalates Repressive Tactics Before Elections

Published

3 months ago

Sep 17, 2024.

Venezuela’s government has escalated its efforts to suppress peaceful protests and dissent following the presidential election in July, according to a recent report by a UN fact-finding mission.

The report reveals a deliberate and systematic crackdown on opposition voices, independent media, and peaceful demonstrations.

“We are witnessing an intensification of the state’s repressive machinery in response to what it perceives as critical views, opposition, or dissent,” said Marta Valinas, chair of the fact-finding mission.

The report highlights the government’s attempts to dismantle and demobilize the opposition, restrict independent information, and prevent peaceful protests.

The electoral authorities and top court declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner, but the opposition claims fraud and alleges their own count shows Edmundo Gonzalez as the victor. Gonzalez has since sought political asylum in Spain.

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The crackdown has resulted in 25 deaths, 2,400 arrests, and a climate of fear among the population.

The report notes that the repression has marked a new low in the deterioration of the rule of law, with public authorities abandoning their independence and deferring to the executive.

The government has blamed the opposition for the deaths and labeled protesters as “extremists” and “fascists.”

However, the fact-finding mission found that 24 of the 25 deaths were caused by gunshot wounds, mostly to the neck. The report also alleges forced disappearances, cruel treatment, and torture.

The UN Human Rights Council established the fact-finding mission on Venezuela in 2019, and its mandate has been extended until this September.

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