Repression and persecution have escalated in Venezuela ahead of the presidential elections. Provea, a human rights organization based in Caracas with a 14-person team, continues to monitor and document human rights abuses despite increasing danger and threats. The group has been recognized for its courage by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). Venezuelan officials have labeled Provea as an “enemy of the people” and accused it of conspiring against the country. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has called on the Venezuelan government to permit Provea’s work without interference. Provea reports that at least three local activists have been arbitrarily arrested, and the UN human rights officers were expelled. Armed groups known as “colectivos,” backed by President Nicolás Maduro, have repeatedly threatened Provea’s office. Provea’s leader, Marino Alvarado, has faced personal threats and attacks and highlights the increased danger under Maduro’s government. Since Maduro took office in 2013, over 43,000 people have had their rights violated, 1,652 have been tortured, and 7,309 have faced inhumane treatment or punishment. The organization found a 20% increase in human rights violations in 2023 compared to the previous year. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government have been repeatedly accused of severe human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and torture, as documented by the U.N. Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela since 2019. These actions are purportedly aimed at silencing opposition, impacting various groups including union members, journalists, and activists. Venezuela is the only Latin American country currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for potential crimes against humanity. The Organization of American States has called for the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Venezuelan officials, citing a pervasive culture of impunity. Human rights groups like Defiende Venezuela and Provea have been vital in recording abuses and advocating for victims, despite governmental persecution. These organizations have increasingly collaborated to strengthen the human rights movement. The U.S. State Department has commended these defenders for their work towards a democratic Venezuela. Recently, Provea was honored with the WOLA’s 2024 Human Rights Award. Original Text bt María Luisa Paúl, publihsed in -> TWP

La falta de acceso a derechos económicos y sociales continuaba siendo motivo de honda preocupación, pues la mayoría de la población sufría inseguridad alimentaria grave. El sistema público de salud estaba colapsado. El gobierno no aplicó las medidas humanitarias acordadas en 2022 para abordar estas cuestiones. Las fuerzas de seguridad respondieron con fuerza ilegítima y otras medidas represivas a las protestas que reivindicaban derechos económicos y sociales. Quienes criticaban al gobierno del presidente Nicolás Maduro eran objeto de detención arbitraria, desaparición forzada y tortura con la aquiescencia del sistema judicial. El gobierno reconoció 455 casos de desaparición forzada registrados desde 2015, que en su mayoría no se habían resuelto. Persistía la impunidad por las ejecuciones extrajudiciales que seguían cometiendo las fuerzas de seguridad. Aunque al concluir el año se excarceló a algunas personas, las detenciones arbitrarias de motivación política seguían siendo una práctica sistemática. La Misión Internacional Independiente de Investigación de los Hechos sobre la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, de la ONU, puso de manifiesto los crímenes de lesa humanidad, pidió que se investigaran las políticas restrictivas del Estado y señaló el incumplimiento de las recomendaciones emitidas con anterioridad. La Corte Penal Internacional prosiguió con su investigación sobre los crímenes de lesa humanidad, pese a los intentos del gobierno de suspender el proceso. Siguieron empeorando las condiciones penitenciarias, especialmente la falta de acceso al agua y a la alimentación. La minería ilegal y la violencia amenazaban los derechos de los pueblos indígenas en la zona del Arco Minero del Orinoco. El número de personas venezolanas que huían del país seguía siendo elevado, y las que eran devueltas eran objeto de detención arbitraria. El acceso a los servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva se veía seriamente afectado, y el aborto seguía estando penalizado. Persistía la violencia sexual contra las mujeres y las niñas, y las personas LGBTI seguían sufriendo discriminación. Informe Completo-> AmnistíaInternacional

It is in this precarious context that the mobility of millions of Venezuelan men and women in the region occurs, highlighting serious gaps in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the countries where refugees and migrants arrive. As a result, their precarious situation is added to the difficulties faced by host communities or to become part of an informal housing and land market that does not guarantee adequate housing. Full Text ->ReliefWeb

But beyond the beauty lies a sad tale of natural destruction and violence. Activists say the area is being ravaged by illegal gold mining, aided by military personnel who turn a blind eye in exchange for bribes. Despite its location in a protected park that hosts a treasure trove of biodiversity, gold mining is growing by 242 hectares — almost 300 football fields — per year, according to the NGO SOS Orinoco. In its last report in 2019, the group said mining activity in the park already covered 2,227 hectares. Full Text -> NewAgeBusiness

An estimated 86% of Venezuelans reported unreliable water service, including 11% who have none at all, according to an April survey of 4,500 residents by the non-profit Venezuelan Observatory of Public Services. María Eugenia Gil, of the Caracas-based non-profit Clear Water Foundation, said residents have no other choice than to hunt for water, breaking a nationwide quarantine that was imposed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. They’re exposing themselves to illness or possibly spreading the virus to others, she said. Full Text-> ThisisMoney

“María Luisa Arriaga and Marco Aurelio Antoima are just the latest journalists facing jail time under Venezuela’s vague and draconian anti-hate law,” said CPJ Central and South America Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick, in New York. “Both journalists should be released immediately, the charges against them dropped, and Venezuela should revise that law to ensure that it is not arbitrarily used to silence the press.” Full Text _> CPJ

As Latin America becomes the new epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, Save the Children is warning of a spike of violence against children and women in Venezuelan families under pressure from socio-economic problems and the coronavirus lockdown. Full Text-> Vatican News 

Scientific and human rights groups in Venezuela and abroad have rushed to defend the Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (ACFIMAN) after a high-level government official suggested raids or arrests to punish the academy for “causing alarm” in a report that suggested the country’s coronavirus epidemic is far worse than official numbers show. By Rodrigo Pérez Ortega. Full Text -> Science

A Utah man who spent nearly two years in a Venezuela prison is sharing never-before-heard details of his ordeal in a new podcast. “Hope In Darkness” tells the story of Josh Holt and his wife, Thamy, who were held without a trial and accused of spying on Venezuela for the United States. The first two episodes are available now. By Becky Bruce. Full Text/Podcast -> KSLNewsRadio

The United States government should recognize the increased risk COVID-19 poses in Venezuela and urgently designate Venezuelans in the US for temporary protection, Human Rights Watch said today. Companion bills have been introduced in the US House and Senate that would designate Venezuelans in the US for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, but neither has passed the full Congress.  -Full text -> Human Rights Watch