UN Flags 'Radical' Rights Restrictions in Venezuela, Warns Civilians May Be 'Caught in the Crossfire' as U.S. Pressure Rises

The United Nations warned that Venezuela's human rights situation has deteriorated since June, citing what it described as "radical" restrictions on fundamental freedoms, growing militarization of public life and an escalating pattern of arbitrary detentions. In this context, it cautioned that increased external pressure risks leaving civilians "caught in the crossfire."

Presenting his latest update in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said conditions in Venezuela "have not improved" since his previous report earlier this year.

Türk pointed to persistent limits on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, cases of enforced disappearances, and a deepening social and economic crisis, as El País reports. Türk confirmed that his office no longer has any international staff operating inside Venezuela, saying all efforts to maintain a presence—including visa requests and dialogue with authorities—had failed.

Türk said public life in the country is becoming "militarized even further," increasing the risk of violence in a society already affected by high levels of criminality. His office received reports of forced recruitment into the Bolivarian Militia, including adolescents and older adults, developments he said followed heightened regional tensions and U.S. military pressure.

He also described as "equally chilling" allegations that authorities are encouraging citizens to report relatives, neighbors or colleagues through a state-sponsored mobile application, policies that he said "foster fear, distrust and self-censorship."

The high commissioner expressed particular concern over reprisals against relatives of people perceived as dissidents. Since July, his office has documented the detention of at least 17 family members—mostly women, children and elderly people—linked to the activities of relatives, while the fate of at least 12 others remains unknown. He called for the unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained, naming several journalists, activists and opposition figures.

Türk also warned about prison conditions, citing shortages of food and medicine and the denial of family visits. His office documented at least five deaths in custody linked to the 2024 presidential elections, including the recent death of opposition politician Alfredo Díaz, and called for prompt, independent investigations.

Addressing the broader regional context, Türk said he was "deeply concerned" about the human rights impact of escalating pressure on Venezuela, including from the United States. "When confrontation escalates," he warned, "it is ordinary people who are caught in the crossfire."

He urged the U.S. to rely on established law-enforcement approaches to counter drug trafficking and called on countries hosting Venezuelan migrants to guarantee international protection.