The Venezuelan Human Rights Education-Action Program (Provea) expressed in a statement its concern about the escalation of the political conflict in the country. The text, published this Sunday, January 4, refers in particular to the United States military intervention that culminated in the arrest and extraction of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The human rights organization established a firm position against the use of unilateral force and in favor of a return to democratic institutions. For Provea, the US military deployment in Venezuelan territory not only aggravates the internal crisisbut rather questions the effectiveness of international diplomacy.
“The events set a serious precedent in Latin America and, at the same time, raise a profound debate about the effectiveness of diplomatic architecture traditional and its pressure mechanisms to, in this case, reverse the greatest antidemocratic regression in South America,” he noted.
The organization recalled that this situation arises from the institutional crisis generated by the lack of knowledge of the 2024 electoral results.
Despite previous complaints against Maduro’s administration for systematic violations of human rights, Provea urged North American authorities to guarantee due process for the detained couple.
“We urge the North American authorities to cease military attacks that put the civilian population at risk. Also to guarantee due respect for the integrity of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, as well as judicial guarantees and treatment in accordance with international human rights standards, as every prosecuted person deserves.”
Peaceful and democratic
Provea emphasized that the way out of the crisis cannot be changed by “a new way of arbitrariness.” The organization maintains that any legitimate transition must be anchored in respect for sovereignty and the results of the July 2024 elections.
“While dissidence was attacked and critical voices were tried to be silenced, the major problems that afflict Venezuelans were relegated to the detriment of the interests of a group to preserve power at all costs. Along with the suffering due to the repressive deployment, the quality of life of the majority suffered a significant deterioration and uncertainty and hopelessness took hold,” he highlighted.
The statement calls for the immediate release of the more than 900 citizens imprisoned for political reasons and rejects foreign tutelage. Likewise, it condemns any decision that seeks to guide the future of Venezuela without respecting the Constitution and free self-determination.
Therefore, it is proposed a civil and non-military exit to the crisis, and warns that unilateral actions “only contribute to undermining the multilateral peace and security system.”
“It is imperative that global and regional powers refrain from any movement that could escalate the conflict or prolong a scenario of chaos, undue interference or ‘implosion’. The solution to the deep Venezuelan crisis must be civil, democratic and within the framework of transitional justice with a focus on the victims,” he emphasized.
Provide asks for calm
Finally, the NGO called on citizens to exercise their rights peacefully. Likewise, he asked the international community, citing the OAS statement, to act as facilitators of a de-escalation.
“The solution to the deep Venezuelan crisis must be civil, democratic and within the framework of transitional justice with a focus on the victims. The ultimate goal must be a Venezuela where the exercise of all human rights and fundamental freedoms be the norm and not the exception.”
