Reports alleging that detainees have continued to be tortured in Venezuela following the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January are concerning, states UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Maduro has been replaced by former Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, who has implemented an amnesty law. Türk welcomed the law but warned that structural human rights issues persist. Venezuelan officials have not reacted to these remarks but have previously labeled torture claims as politically motivated.
Türk noted that many Venezuelans remain in 'arbitrary detention' despite the amnesty bill's passing, including children among those detained. The Venezuelan parliament, dominated by Maduro loyalists, reported over 7,700 individuals granted 'full freedom' under the amnesty law; however, rights group Foro Penal disputes this, confirming fewer than 700 releases and citing over 500 political prisoners still incarcerated. Türk urged for greater transparency from Venezuelan authorities following discrepancies in official numbers and emphasized ongoing torture allegations at specific detention facilities. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission has also been gathering testimony related to human rights abuses since Maduro’s ousting.
Türk noted that many Venezuelans remain in 'arbitrary detention' despite the amnesty bill's passing, including children among those detained. The Venezuelan parliament, dominated by Maduro loyalists, reported over 7,700 individuals granted 'full freedom' under the amnesty law; however, rights group Foro Penal disputes this, confirming fewer than 700 releases and citing over 500 political prisoners still incarcerated. Türk urged for greater transparency from Venezuelan authorities following discrepancies in official numbers and emphasized ongoing torture allegations at specific detention facilities. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission has also been gathering testimony related to human rights abuses since Maduro’s ousting.
