By Micah Jonah, March 13, 2026
A United Nations fact finding mission has warned that serious human rights abuses continue in Venezuela despite the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Presenting findings before the United Nations Human Rights Council, mission member Maria Eloisa Quintero said there were no clear signs of structural reforms aimed at improving the country’s human rights situation.
Quintero noted that civic and democratic space remains severely restricted under interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed office in January. According to the mission, civil society groups, independent media outlets and political figures continue to face harassment, intimidation and attacks.
Investigators reported that at least 87 people have been detained since January, including journalists and political supporters. 14 journalists were temporarily detained while covering Rodríguez’s inauguration, while dozens of others were arrested for celebrating the removal of the previous administration. At least 15 of the detainees were minors.
The report is among the first international assessments of Venezuela’s human rights record since Maduro was removed from power following a United States military operation earlier this year.
Quintero said the mission believes the operation violated international law, despite longstanding allegations that Maduro’s government committed crimes against humanity during his presidency.
While the interim government has taken some initial steps, including the release of several political prisoners and the introduction of an amnesty law, the mission said these measures remain limited and incomplete.
Investigators also reported that dozens of officials from Venezuela’s national investigative police unit were detained for allegedly failing to produce evidence supporting the government’s narrative surrounding the January operation.
Human rights groups have documented thousands of cases of arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial killings during Maduro’s time in office, raising concerns that many of the institutions responsible for repression remain unchanged.
The UN mission concluded that deeper institutional reforms are needed to restore public trust and ensure accountability, warning that the mechanisms of repression in Venezuela appear to be adapting rather than disappearing.
