Venezuela intensified ‘repressive machinery’ after Maduro re-election: UN

Following the contested presidential election in July, Venezuela has experienced a significant escalation in state repression, as reported by a United Nations fact-finding mission. The aftermath of Nicolas Maduro's disputed victory has led to widespread unrest, resulting in the deaths of 25 protesters and the arrest of over 2,400 individuals, including more than 100 minors. The mission highlighted that the majority of fatalities were due to gunshot wounds, indicating a violent crackdown on dissent. The UN report emphasized that the government's response to opposition and protests has marked a severe deterioration in human rights and the rule of law in Venezuela. Many of those detained faced serious violations of due process, with accusations of terrorism and incitement to hatred being levied against them. This situation has raised alarms about the increasing levels of repression and the government's perception of dissent as a threat. The electoral authorities and the judiciary in Venezuela have supported Maduro's claims of victory, despite allegations of electoral fraud from opposition supporters. The opposition's count indicated a win for Edmundo Gonzalez, who has since sought asylum in Spain following a warrant for his arrest. The US has responded by imposing sanctions on Venezuelan officials involved in the electoral process, further complicating the political landscape. The Venezuelan government has attributed the violence during protests to opposition extremism, while reports of forced disappearances and torture have surged since 2019. The UN's ongoing investigation into human rights violations in Venezuela underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform in the face of escalating repression.