IACHR Rejects Persecution of Opposition Leaders Using Criminal Law in Venezuela

December 26, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) rejects the measures taken by the Venezuelan public prosecutor's office to discourage opposition participation in the presidential election scheduled for 2024 in the country. The Commission urges the State of Venezuela to refrain from arbitrarily arresting opposition leaders, to release political prisoners, and to enable political participation with a level playing field. 

On December 6, the country's attorney general issued arrest warrants against 14 individuals, with charges including treason, conspiracy, conspiracy to commit crimes, and money laundering of funds linked to the Essequibo territorial dispute pitting Venezuela against Guyana. Several opposition leaders and members of presidential hopeful María Corina Machado's team are among the individuals against whom arrest warrants have been issued. Further, Roberto Abdul, president of the civilian organization Súmate, was arrested, his whereabouts were temporarily undisclosed, and he was taken before a court without being granted access to a technical defense of his own choosing.

These are some of the actions that reflect a persecution pattern aimed at discouraging political participation among the opposition, as has been documented by the IACHR and other international organizations. On October 25, the public prosecutor's office had already launched an investigation against the organizers of a primary election to choose a presidential candidate for the 2024 election. The winner of that primary was María Corina Machado, who is also a beneficiary of IACHR precautionary measures.

The IACHR stresses that the Venezuelan justice system is failing to safeguard independence and impartiality and that it has played a significant role in repressing government critics. The Commission further warns that extremely broad, vague, and ambiguous crime categories including treason can be used to persecute critics and to curb legitimate political participation.

Finally, the Inter-American Commission again calls on the State to immediately release all individuals who remain arbitrarily detained and to urgently take measures to restore the separation powers and the independence of various branches of government in Venezuela, as well as to ensure that the opposition may take part in the 2024 presidential election.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence. 

No. 315/23

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