Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is pleased to present this oral update on its work before the Human Rights Council, pursuant to Council resolution 57/37, which extended the Mission’s mandate until October 2026.

The composition of the Mission has been renewed since the presentation of its last report in September 2025. This update is delivered by its two new members—Mr. Alex Neve, who is here with us today, and myself, María Eloísa Quintero.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the former experts of the Mission—Mr. Francisco Cox, Ms. Patricia Tappatá and Ms. Marta Valiñas—for their extraordinary dedication and achievements in the crucial task of investigating human rights violations in Venezuela.

Mr. President,

This update covers the period from September 2025 to the present. It has been a time marked by uncertainty, during which we have observed both change and continuity. It may be divided into two phases.

The first phase includes the final months of 2025; during this period, the Mission observed that a continuity in the patterns of serious human rights violations previously highlighted in earlier reports.

Between September and December 2025 alone, the Mission documented 135 alleged arbitrary detentions. Many of those detained were subjected to human rights violations following their arrest. The Mission is currently investigating several cases of torture and sexual and gender-based violence committed in detention centres and so‑called “safe houses”.

One third of those arrested were family members of the primary targets of the detentions. Among them were eight children and adolescents, including children aged two and five.

The Mission also recorded the deaths of at least three people in custody during this period. Initial investigations suggest that these deaths may have resulted from medical conditions that were not promptly or adequately addressed. These deaths underscore—once again—the harsh conditions faced by detainees, particularly those held for politically motivated reasons.

The Mission also continued to receive information about the severe impact on the families of detainees caused by the lack of information regarding their whereabouts and situation of their loved, as well as the opaque criteria and timelines for releases. This burden has fallen disproportionately on women, many of whom have waited for weeks outside detention centres, at times resorting to hunger strikes.

The Mission continues to investigate these patterns. However, its preliminary findings suggest that, between September and December 2025, the authorities continued implementing the State policy of repression of perceived opponents, as previously documented by the Mission over recent months and years.

Mr. President,

During the reporting period, events of great significance occurred.

Since early September 2025, the United States of America deployed a military and surveillance operation in the Caribbean Sea, aimed at confronting what that country’s authorities described as “narco‑terrorist organizations”.

A few months later, on 3 January 2026, the United States carried out a military attack in Venezuela, including bombings of airports, air bases and military facilities in Aragua, Caracas, La Guaira and Miranda. According to estimates provided by the Venezuelan Ministry of Defence, the attacks caused 82 deaths; of these, at least two were civilians, as reported by the media.

The attack was accompanied by a U.S. Special Forces operation during which President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were apprehended. Both were forcibly transferred to the United States, where they face charges related to drug trafficking and weapons possession.

In relation to these events, and in our capacity as independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council, we would like to note the following:

First, the Mission reiterates what it affirmed in its public statement of 3 January: the U.S. military operation of 3 January 2026 violated international law. While the Mission has reasonable grounds to believe that Nicolás Maduro is responsible for crimes against humanity committed against the civilian population, this does not justify an unlawful military intervention.

Second, the Mission has consistently stated that all individuals involved in the system of repression and responsible for perpetrating such crimes must be held accountable through judicial processes that uphold due guarantees.

Mr. President,

As is widely known, following the military attack and the apprehension of Mr. Maduro, the Supreme Court appointed Delcy Rodríguez as “interim president”. This initiated a second phase marked by certain actions that initially appeared encouraging.

One of Ms. Rodríguez’s first measures was the issuance of a decree declaring a state of “external emergency”; the scope and legality of the decree posse serious concerns under international and Venezuelan constitutional law.

Subsequently, and as a signal of change, the authorities initiated a mass release of individuals detained for political reasons. The Mission welcomes this positive step.

There are, however, no reliable or unified data on the identity or number of so‑called “political prisoners”. Official figures on those detained or released present major inconsistencies and cannot be independently verified. On 23 January, Delcy Rodríguez stated that 626 people had been released, while non‑governmental organizations estimate that the real number was significantly lower.

On 20 February, the National Assembly adopted—unanimously—the Law on Amnesty for Democratic Coexistence. Any law of this nature is, in principle, a positive instrument. However, this law does not establish a general amnesty; rather, it limits its scope to individuals detained or prosecuted for offences arising from a narrow list of specified events.

The Mission welcomed the enactment of this law, but it has also expressed serious reservations, including the following:

First, the law was adopted through an accelerated process, which prevented a transparent and inclusive consultation process.

Second, the law does not acknowledge State responsibility for human rights violations. It does not establish transparent or comprehensive processes, independent investigations, or mechanisms to uncover the truth. Nor does it recognize the victims of repression, who continue to be characterized as criminals, without access to effective reparations.

Third, the scope of the amnesty law is arbitrarily restrictive. It applies only to criminal offences (and not to civil, disciplinary, administrative or other types of proceedings) and only to a closed list of events. It excludes a large number of individuals detained in relation to other incidents, including alleged “armed or forceful actions” against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country—an accusation frequently used by authorities to detain military personnel, ex‑military members and civilians.

According to the latest official information, between 20 February and 6 March, judicial authorities released 247 people pursuant to the Amnesty Law, while 7,407 others were granted “full liberty” following the termination of proceedings against them. In the absence of publicly accessible official records, these figures cannot be verified. Hundreds of people remain deprived of liberty. They include individuals of various nationalities. According to the Mission’s records, at least 76 foreign nationals or dual nationals detained for political reasons are still awaiting release.

The Mission takes this opportunity to reiterate its call for all individuals arbitrarily detained to be released unconditionally, irrespective of whether their cases fall within the narrowly defined scope of the Amnesty Law. This law is not required to release individuals who have been unlawfully deprived of their liberty.

Mr. President,

The Mission continues to receive direct testimony, victim statements, information, documentation and reports regarding human rights violations committed after 3 January.

In this second phase, according to the information collected by the Mission, at least 87 people were detained. Among them were 14 journalists and media workers who were temporarily arrested while covering Delcy Rodríguez’s swearing‑in on 5 January, and at least 27 individuals who were detained for allegedly celebrating Nicolás Maduro’s detention, including 15 children. It was also reported that around 30 officials of the Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations Corps (CICPC), as well as their family members, were detained after allegedly refusing to falsify evidence related to the 3 January military attack.

Information available to the Mission confirms that “colectivos”—armed civilian groups—continue to operate. Civic and democratic space remains severely restricted. Civil society organizations, the few remaining independent media outlets, and political actors continue to face attacks, harassment or intimidation. The prospects for full guarantees necessary for free and democratic elections remain remote.

The new cases of human rights violations highlight that the complex legal and institutional machinery that instigated and enabled the commission of serious human rights violations and international crimes—previously documented by the Mission—remains intact. There are no indicators of structural reforms or change.

State institutions that played a key role in the repression—and which have been identified in previous Mission reports—have not been reviewed or reformed. These include the judiciary; the institutions comprising the “Citizen Power”—the Ombudsman’s Office, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Comptroller General’s Office; and other bodies essential to civic and democratic life, such as the National Electoral Council and CONATEL, the telecommunications authority.

Several senior government and military officials previously identified by the Mission as responsible for crimes against humanity continue to hold high‑level positions within the executive branch and security forces.

The legal instruments that have long served as a basis for political persecution remain fully in force. These include, notably, the Constitutional Law against Hatred for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance, and the Law on the Oversight, Regulation, Performance and Financing of NGOs—both of which should be repealed or substantively reformed.

As the Mission has stated previously, a far deeper and more enduring transformation is required so that the population can trust that the long years of repression and violence have truly come to an end.

Mr. President,

In this uncertain and volatile context, the mandate of the Fact‑Finding Mission is more important than ever.

The Mission has investigated—and will continue to investigate—the violations falling within its mandate, and will continue identifying modus operandi, patterns, actors and perpetrators, all of which will serve as an indispensable roadmap for guiding necessary reforms and changes.

The Mission is an independent, technical and apolitical body; its work constitutes a critical and objective tool for accompanying this transitional period and independently assessing progress—or the absence thereof—in this regard.

Repressive structures and alliances are mutating as they seek to adapt to the new reality and maintain power. The Mission will continue its work to identify the actors and mechanisms involved in serious violations and crimes that obstruct the restoration of the rule of law, always in accordance with its investigative mandate.

This is also a crucial moment for victims. More than 8.7 million Venezuelan citizens—including thousands of refugees—are currently living outside Venezuela, yearning for the possibility of return. Hundreds of individuals have recently been released or had precautionary measures lifted; many have reached out to the Mission in recent months because they feel that the current national context offers a safer environment to share their experiences. The number of people and cases being submitted for documentation and investigation has increased significantly, doubling or even tripling the Mission’s workload.

The Mission continues gathering information from direct victims, their families, informants and other actors providing accounts of recent violations, as well as those committed in previous years.

Today, more than ever, it is essential to confront and undertake this investigative work. Our Mission has that mandate.

The Mission therefore reiterates its call for cooperation from the Venezuelan authorities and requests that it be granted full access to the country, as a demonstration of transparency and collaboration.

Mr. President,

The current situation in Venezuela may represent an opportunity for genuine respect for human rights and accountability to prevail, thereby paving the way toward national reconciliation.

The Mission believes that this is a time for increased support, engagement and international scrutiny, not for reduced attention.

The people of Venezuela deserve no less. The thousands of victims—Venezuelan and of other nationalities—demand no less.

Thank you for your attention.