Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that following the disputed presidential election in Venezuela in July, security forces and pro-government armed groups were responsible for killing 23 protesters. Thousands took to the streets in response to the election results, with the opposition claiming that the election had been stolen. President Maduro and his United Socialist Party responded with full force, carrying out arbitrary detentions, prosecutions, and a campaign encouraging people to report those who participated in the protests or cast doubt on the results.
The HRW director for the Americas, Juanita Goebertus, described the repression in Venezuela as shockingly brutal, calling for concerned governments to take urgent steps to ensure that people are able to peacefully protest and that their vote is respected. The group received credible evidence of the killings from independent local organizations, including Foro Penal, Justicia Encuentro y Perdon, Monitor de Victimas, and Provea. Most of the killings occurred on July 29 and 30, with eleven cases independently documented by HRW through death certificates, videos, photographs, interviews with witnesses, and consultations with experts.
Among the cases detailed in the report was the killing of Rances Daniel Yzarra Bolivar, a civil engineer and food truck worker who was shot in the chest. Mass arrests were also reported during the protests, with over 2,400 people arrested since July 29, including children, journalists, political leaders, campaign staffers, and a lawyer defending protesters. Some arrests were livestreamed by activists, and local group Foro Penal reported that 114 children had been arrested, with at least 86 eventually released. Those arrested were often held incommunicado for weeks and denied the right to hire a lawyer.
The lack of transparency in the election results, coupled with the arrests that followed the protests, has drawn global condemnation against President Maduro and his allies. The National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of the election for a third term, but the main opposition coalition claimed that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, had actually defeated Maduro by a 2-to-1 margin. The United States, the European Union, and several Latin American countries have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory without a detailed breakdown of votes cast.
The criticism intensified after a judge approved a prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, further fueling concerns about the fairness of the election and the crackdown on protesters. The international community has called for an end to the violence and repression in Venezuela, urging respect for human rights and democratic principles. The situation in Venezuela remains tense and volatile, with ongoing protests and clashes between security forces and demonstrators. It is essential for all parties involved to engage in meaningful dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
