UN Highlights Allegations of Torture of Detainees in Venezuela Following Maduro's Arrest

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed deep concern over reports indicating that torture of detainees continues in Venezuela. This situation remains alarming despite President Nicolás Maduro being arrested by US forces in January.

Maduro’s position has been replaced by loyal ally, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. Under Rodríguez’s leadership, an amnesty law has been enacted. Whilst welcoming this step, Türk cautioned that structural and systemic human rights issues persist in Venezuela.

Türk stated that many Venezuelans remain in “arbitrary detention” despite the Amnesty Law being passed last month. Alarmingly, he added that a child is among those detained without clear legal grounds.

Reports from the Venezuelan parliament, dominated by Maduro supporters, claim that over 7,700 people have been granted “full freedom” through the Amnesty Law. However, this data contradicts field findings. The detainee human rights group Foro Penal has only been able to confirm the release of fewer than 700 people.

Foro Penal has also warned that over 500 people remain imprisoned for political reasons. In response to this stark discrepancy, Türk urged Venezuelan authorities to be more transparent.

“Our office has requested their official list of those released, as well as unobstructed access to certain detention centres, but this has not yet yielded results,” said Türk before the UN Human Rights Council.

Furthermore, Türk disclosed information regarding torture and abuse continuing, particularly at the Rodeo 1 and Fuerte Guaicaipuro detention centres. This report is corroborated by the Independent International Fact-Finding Team for Venezuela.

The team stated it has received direct testimony and documentation of human rights violations committed after 3 January. In a previous report, this independent team documented numerous cases in which detainees were subjected to torture, sexual violence, and other cruel and inhuman treatment.

To date, Venezuelan officials have not issued a formal response to Türk’s latest statement. However, in the past, the Venezuelan government has repeatedly dismissed torture allegations as “politicised” claims driven by malevolent foreign interests.