The IACHR condemns the ongoing practices of state terrorism in Venezuela and recalls that María Corina Machado is a beneficiary of precautionary measures

January 9, 2025

Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) strongly condemns the continued use of state terrorism practices in Venezuela to sow fear and exert control over the population. It urges the regime to immediately cease the persecution of opponents, human rights defenders, and journalists, as well as to release all persons detained for political reasons in the country.

Civil society organizations and media denounced that, on January 7, 2025, at least 18 people were victims of arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances. Among those affected are: Carlos Correa, director of the organization Espacio Público and user of the Inter-American Human Rights System for more than two decades; Marianela Ojeda, coordinator of Municipal Activism of Vente Venezuela in Pampanito municipality; Francisco Graterol, Municipal Political Secretary of Vente Venezuela in Pampanito municipality; Alejandro Briceño, son of a well-known leader of Acción Democrática in Trujillo state; Darío Durán, activist of the presidential campaign of Edmundo González; Roberto Rea, political activist; Rafael Tudarez, son-in-law of Edmundo González Urrutia; Francisco Cariello, leader of Alianza Bravo Pueblo; Jeremy Santamaría, opposition councilman; Enrique Márquez, former presidential candidate; Jesús Sira, person perceived as opposition; Rafael Goitia, person perceived as opposition; Gerardo Camacho, person perceived as opponent; Yuli Rosas, person perceived as opponent; Yorman González, person perceived as opponent; Nereida Briceño, person perceived as opponent; Iraima Camacho, who would be perceived as opponent; and the journalist Edinson Castro, in the state of Zulia.

On January 9, 2025, during opposition-led demonstrations, political leader María Corina Machado was momentously detained. In light of these events, the Commission recalls that she is a beneficiary of precautionary measures, granted to ensure that she can "carry out her political participation activities without being subject to threats, harassment, or acts of violence in the course of these activities."

The reported arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances, carried out days before the peaceful demonstrations called by the opposition in rejection of the illegitimate presidential inauguration of Nicolás Maduro, reflect a new wave of the repressive pattern pointed out by the IACHR in its recent report Venezuela: Serious Human Rights Violations in the Electoral Context. According to available information, these actions were carried out by hooded individuals, without visible identification, moving in vehicles without license plates. The authorities have refused to provide information on the persons detained, in breach of their international obligations, despite the efforts of family members to obtain answers.

The Commission urges the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of individuals arbitrarily detained, guarantee their life and personal integrity, and release them immediately. Furthermore, the IACHR and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE) also call on the authorities to ensure the peaceful conduct of demonstrations organized by the opposition, refraining from repressing participants and guaranteeing that the media and citizens can document and record events without restrictions. Lastly, they reiterate their call to the international community to activate all diplomatic and institutional channels to secure the release of all individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons, to prioritize a human rights approach in the hemispheric dialogue on the political and social crisis in Venezuela, and to support the Venezuelan people in their return to democracy.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to encourage the hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.

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

No. 009/25

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