Venezuelan Regime Ramps Up Repression, Detains Dozens More After U.S. Strikes

The Venezuelan regime has ramped up its repression over the past weeks, especially after the U.S. began its military campaign in the region, according to a new report.

CNN 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.

In another passage of the piece, CNN noted that reports of torture, isolation and inhumane conditions in detention centers are widespread.

Surveillance is also increasing. A report from Reuters noted that intelligence officers are keeping tabs on family members of people killed at sea by U.S. strikes against alleged drug vessels.

Citing people affected, Reuters noted that Bolivarian National Intelligence Service agents told them not to post about their loved ones' deaths on social media. The bodies have not been retrieved and families have not been able to hold funerals for them.

They added that they are not aware about any investigations related to the killings. Washington has not released details about the people targeted either.

Residents of the town of Guiria said the number of security personnel from different agencies has increased since mid-September, when strikes against the vessels increased.

"They pass through the same areas many times, at all hours. Before, they weren't so persistent, now they're everywhere all the time," a community leader told the outlet.

Another town resident said patrols include civilians loyal to the Maduro regime, known as "collectives," or colectivos. "They're all organized by the government - civilians and police go together supervising the streets," the person said.

And paranoia is spreading across the regime too. Citing two active Venezuelan intelligence officers, the Financial Times detailed that agents are "sucking up to bosses to that they or their families don't get arrested."

"The assumption is that everyone is a traitor until they prove otherwise," one agent said. "Nobody can be trusted."

The outlet added that authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro is also tightening his security arrangements, noting that his recent public appearances have been announced at the last minute. He has appeared in front of selected crowds and party members. It is a departure with previous scheduling, which was announced ahead of time, and he would appear along with other top officials.