Maduro Regime Taking Advantage Of U.S. Tensions To Crack Down On Dissent: Report

The Maduro regime is taking advantage of escalating tensions with the United States to further crack down on dissent, according to a new report.

The Washington Post cited Martina Rapido Ragozzino, North Andes researcher for Human Rights Watch, who said he regime has "used U.S. pressure as an excuse to deploy the military, label critics as 'traitors' and arrest dozens of dissidents."

It highlighted the case of opposition politician Alfredo Diaz, a former governor, who died this month in a notorious clandestine prison after being captured over a year ago while trying to escape the country.

Martina Rapido Ragozzino, North Andes researcher for Human Rights Watch added Volver Türk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, told the UN Human Rights Council this month.

"Journalists, human rights defenders, opposition figures, and even humanitarian workers continue to face threats, harassment, and the risk of arbitrary detention simply for doing their jobs," he added.

Moreover, Venezuela's National Assembly, controlled by allies of Nicolás Maduro, approved legislation this week establishing prison sentences of up to 20 years for individuals who promote, support or finance acts described by the government as "piracy" or economic blockades against the country.

Another report by CNN from late November noted that, according to human rights group Provea, 54 people were detained in October, the highest number since tensions with the Trump administration began in the region. Many of them have ties with opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado.

Provea coordinator Marino Alvarado told the outlet that the detentions are a "policy designed to instill fear among Venezuelans." "Now the goal isn't to fill prisons; it's to neutralize organizing power by removing voices that can mobilize people," he added.

Another NGO, Vente Venezuela, added that there has been one arbitrary detention every 32 hours this year, with 232 cases so far this year. However, the figure was higher last year, when the figure clocked in at 2,500.