There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Venezuela during the year. Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings; enforced disappearance; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by security forces; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest or detention by security forces; serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; political prisoners or detainees; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; punishment of family members for alleged offenses by a relative; unlawful recruitment or use of children by illegal armed groups; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats of violence against journalists, unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists, censorship, and enforcement of or threat to enforce criminal libel laws to limit expression; serious restrictions on internet freedom; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, including overly restrictive laws on the organization, funding, or operation of nongovernmental and civil society organizations; restrictions on freedom of movement and on the ability to leave the country; inability of citizens to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections; serious and unreasonable restrictions on political participation; serious government corruption; serious government restrictions on or harassment of domestic and international human rights organizations; extensive gender-based violence, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual violence, workplace violence, femicide, and other forms of such violence; significant barriers to access to sexual and reproductive health services; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting Indigenous peoples such as the Yanomami; trafficking in persons; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex persons; prohibiting independent trade unions or significant or systematic restrictions on workers’ freedom of association, such as violence and threats against labor activists; and the worst forms of child labor. Representatives of Nicolás Maduro Moros did not take credible steps or action to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses. There were reports nonstate armed groups and criminal gangs engaged in violence, human trafficking, child recruitment, exploitation of Indigenous communities, and sexual abuse. See full report -> State Departament

“We know that nothing happens in Venezuela without the explicit consent of the Maduro regime and its senior ministers.  Right?  That was something that the fact-finding mission uncovered.  We separately know that nothing that the Maduro regime does is done without the explicit consent and approval and sometimes direction of the Cuban regime.  So when we get the report that the Maduro regime is responsible for crimes against humanity, it follows that, frankly, the Cuban regime is also responsible for those same crimes against humanity. We’re going to spend the remainder of this year highlighting the fact-finding mission’s report, making sure that we work with allies, try to see the mandate of the fact-finding mission continue through another two years, and really ensure that we are fighting for the people of Venezuela and the people of Cuba in their fight for democracy in their country”. Ms Carrie Filipetti interview. Full Text-> GlobalOublicAffairs DoS

Conditions for free and fair elections do not exist in Venezuela and the release of a number of political prisoners does not change that.  None of the political parties whose leadership was removed and their names, symbols, and assets stolen by the regime have been restored, including parties from the left that challenge the regime’s control of Chavez’s political legacy.  By Michael Pompeo Secretary of State. Full Text-> Press Statement DoS

“Within the regime people are talking about it, and what they’re saying is look, if we engage in a democratic transition, we – even the people who are part of the Chavista movement – would come out of this in very good shape. Their political rights would be respected, they’d have a free and fair opportunity to run for office, their party would continue on, nobody is – would be punished for anything except the most serious crimes. So it’s a pretty good deal unless you’re Maduro and just want to stay in power forever”. Global Public Affairs DOS