A recent United Nations fact-finding mission report has unveiled a series of grave human rights violations in Venezuela following the 2024 presidential elections. Released on Monday, the report paints a harrowing picture of unchecked political persecution and systemic violence that has continued into 2025, affecting a wide spectrum of the Venezuelan civil society.

The report highlights the involvement of Venezuelan state security forces in the deaths of 25 protesters on July 29-30, 2024. Particularly alarming was an incident in Maracay, where the national guard and the army were documented firing live ammunition into a crowd. This brutal crackdown is part of a broader pattern of repression that includes the mistreatment of detainees — with some instances of sexual torture — and enforced disappearances, notably affecting foreign nationals and children aged 13 to 17.

Additionally, the UN committee's findings contradict claims by the Venezuelan Office of the Attorney General, particularly concerning the deaths of five detainees under government custody. According to the report, these deaths point to a violation of due diligence obligations regarding detainee health, further implicating state authorities in severe rights abuses.

In response to the unrest following the elections, the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, implemented restrictive laws targeting civil liberties. The Simón Bolívar Law and the NGO Financing Law have enabled the government to strip potential opposition members of their civil rights and to severely restrict the operation of non-governmental organizations. These measures have drawn intense criticism from international human rights and democracy groups, drawing parallels with similar "foreign agent" laws in Russia and Georgia.

Despite the release of 2,006 out of 2,220 detainees from the post-election unrest, the government has continued to arrest individuals, approximately 200, under the guise of perceived political opposition. This ongoing suppression, coupled with the lack of effective government investigation into these abuses, positions the international community as potentially the last available avenue for justice for the victims.

The UN report concludes with a stern reminder of the dire human rights situation in Venezuela, urging international intervention to halt the perpetuation of injustice and restore basic human rights to the Venezuelan people.