PANAMA / GENEVA – The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in Venezuela following the US attack and capture of Nicolás Maduro and underscored the need to ensure accountability for the grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by his government.

“In light of the US military intervention and the apprehension of Nicolás Maduro on – according to the US administration - charges of ‘narco-terrorism against the United States and its citizens,’ the Fact-Finding Mission underscores the need to maintain the focus on the grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity which have been committed against the Venezuelan population,” said Marta Valiñas, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission.

These violations, documented extensively by the Fact-Finding Mission, include extrajudicial killings and other arbitrary deprivations of life; arbitrary detentions; enforced disappearances (mostly short-term); torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and sexual and gender-based violence.

“The Maduro government’s longstanding record of grave human rights violations does not justify a US military intervention that breaches international law,” said Alex Neve, expert member of the Fact-Finding Mission. “Similarly, the illegality of the US attack does not in any way diminish the clear responsibility of Venezuelan officials, including Mr. Maduro, for years of repression and violence amounting to crimes against humanity. The Venezuelan people require and deserve solutions that fully comply with international law.”

"Responsibility for these violations is not limited to Nicolás Maduro,” said Maria Eloisa Quintero, expert member of the Fact-Finding Mission. “Other individuals who exercised command or authority over security forces, or who otherwise contributed to these crimes, must also be held accountable.”

The Fact-Finding Mission is deeply concerned about the risk of further serious human rights violations in the coming days and weeks amid heightened volatility, including the US government’s assertion that it intends to “run” the country for the foreseeable future at the same time that Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of emergency.

The Mission is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in the country and its impact on the rights, safety, and security of the population. It calls on Venezuelan and U.S. authorities, as well as the international community, to ensure full respect for international law. The rights of the Venezuelan people have been systematically violated for far too long. Human rights must, without exception, come first.

ENDS

Background: In September 2019, the UN Human Rights Council established the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to assess alleged human rights violations committed since 2014. The Fact-Finding Mission presented its latest annual report during an interactive dialogue at the Council in September 2024, accompanied by a conference room paper with its detailed findings. In its resolution 57/36, the Council extended the Fact-Finding Mission’s mandate for two more years, until October 2026.

Information on human rights violations can be submitted to the Mission securely and confidentially through this link.

For media queries, please contact: Todd Pitman, Media Adviser for the UN Human Rights Council’s Investigative Bodies: todd.pitman@un.org / +41766911761; or Pascal Sim, Human Rights Council Media Officer: simp@un.org.

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