The undersigned organizations express our concern about the lack of transparency in the electoral process that has resulted in Nicolás Maduro as president-elect of Venezuela (period 2025-2031). Several presidents, authorities and regional and international referents have denounced the opacity of the result and the need for the publication and verification of the electoral records. It is essential to guarantee the prevalence of the will of the Venezuelan people and to open a process of political dialogue.

Likewise, the subsequent acts of social and state violence are of concern. In the last hours, a repressive escalation has been reported by the official armed forces against the demonstrations, which have taken place in 17 of Venezuela’s 24 states. According to recent statements made by the Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, 749 people have been arrested in the framework of the protests, some of them under crimes such as “terrorism” and “incitement to hatred”. In addition to the above, a series of threats of imprisonment have been made against opposition political leaders. The mission sent by the United Nations has confirmed at least six people killed and dozens injured in the protests. 

These events affect the civil and political rights of Venezuelan citizens, as well as show a lack of commitment to democratic principles. Arbitrary detentions aim to silence, intimidate and discourage political participation. This action by the Venezuelan government violates international human rights standards and undermines the right to protest peacefully, to assemble and to express opinions freely and without fear.

This new political crisis could trigger a new wave of migration of Venezuelans seeking safety and better living conditions. Faced with this situation, it is crucial that the governments of the region adopt supportive measures. These actions include the implementation of migration policies with a human rights approach, international cooperation to manage the migratory flow in an orderly manner, the facilitation of safe transit routes throughout the region, and the provision of assistance and protection to migrants. It is essential that States enable permanent, accessible and affordable regularization mechanisms.

At this critical moment, we express our solidarity with Venezuelan social leaders and organizations working for the defense of human rights. Their courage and commitment to democracy are an invaluable contribution to the construction of peace and social justice in Latin America.

The undersigned organizations join the call of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which urges the Venezuelan authorities to respect the rights to protest and free expression. We express our commitment to the need to find peaceful political solutions to the crisis that strengthen democracy in the region and do not fuel violence and authoritarianism.

– Dejusticia – Centro de Estudios de Derecho, Justicia y Sociedad (Colombia)
– Cels – Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (Argentina)
– Movimiento en Resistencia Contra las Agresiones Oculares del Esmad (MOCAO)
– Temblores ONG (Colombia)
– Corporación Sisma Mujer (Colombia)
– ILEX Acción Jurídica (Colombia)
– Conectas Direitos Humanos (Brasil)
– Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos (Perú)
– Observatorio Ciudadano (Chile)
– ARTIGO 19 Brasil e América do Sul KHRC
– Kenya Human Rights Commission (Kenya)
– ICCL – Irish Council for Civil Liberties (Irlanda)
-Alianza de Organizaciones por los Derechos Humanos del Ecuador (Ecuador)
– Venezolanos en Barranquilla (Colombia)
– Clínica Jurídica para Migrantes de la Universidad de los Andes (Colombia)
– KontraS (Indonesia)
– The Commission for Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Indonesia)
– Legal Resources Centre (South Africa)
– Red Nacional de Mujeres Colombia (Colombia)
– Human Rights Law Centre (Australia)