The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFMV) on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela said on Wednesday that the socialist Maduro government is cracking down on dissidents “more violently” ahead of the upcoming sham presidential election on July 28. warned that he was doing so.
The Fact-Finding Mission, set up in 2019 to investigate human rights abuses by the ruling socialists, issued the warning as part of its investigation. update The announcement was made by the mission’s leader, Marta Valinhas, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
In his presentation, Valinhas explained how Maduro’s government is reimposing the most violent repressive measures to silence dissidents “at all costs.” This includes committing crimes to create a climate of fear and intimidation and restricting the free exercise of fundamental rights.
“A number of events recorded during the period covered by this update confirm that we are witnessing a reinvigoration of the most violent repression by the authorities,” Valinhas said. “In this regard, the mission is committed to the same We are observing a repeating pattern of human rights abuses.”
Valinhas discussed recent events in Venezuela ahead of the July 28 sham presidential election that begins in October 2023. The election saw the Maduro government and members of Venezuela’s “opposition” sign an agreement aimed at celebrating “liberal democracy” in Barbados. and a fair” 2023 presidential election.
The deal, backed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, gave the socialists generous oil and gas sanctions relief. package In exchange for a series of vague promises from President Joe Biden to eventually hold a presidential election. Socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro chose not to implement any of the terms of the agreement and to begin preparing it. from now on Fake election on July 28th. He declared that this was a different election from what the regime had promised in Barbados.
Days after the deal was signed and sanctions were lifted, President Maduro began dramatically escalating the crackdown, setting the stage for a rigged election to secure a new six-year term for himself.
Valinhas said that a few days after the deal was signed, María Colina Machado, who heads Venezuela’s only mainstream centre-right party, Vente Venezuela, became the establishment opposition candidate. win Opposition independent organization primary elections in October.Maduro’s regime had socialist-controlled courts To disable He claimed the primary election was a fraudulent event.
The October agreement set out conditions for lifting bans placed on opposition candidates, including Machado, but the Maduro government upheld the ban on Machado, effectively blocking her from running. Valinhas also highlighted how Maduro’s government arrested several of Machado’s campaign staff.
On the same Wednesday that the independent fact-finding mission submitted its report, the Maduro government issued warrants against seven members of the Machado camp; arrested They also accused the two of being part of a conspiracy to “create violence” in Venezuela ahead of sham elections in July.
Video released on social media on Wednesday shows members of Maduro’s SEBIN intelligence agency forcibly taking Dignora Hernández, a senior member of Machado’s camp, into a vehicle.
Est est en horror.
🚨 | El Sevin serves as a diplomat for the Bente National Political Secretariat, Dignora Hernández, Bente National Coordinator, and Henry Alviarez. pic.twitter.com/nmEmmapBDe
— Orlando Avendaño (@OrlvndoA) March 20, 2024
“These actions highlight the serious difficulties in ensuring that the next presidential election is conducted in accordance with the right to participate in public affairs as affirmed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Barinhas said. Ta.
The head of the fact-finding mission stressed that the Maduro regime is launching “real or imagined ‘conspiracies’ to intimidate, arrest and prosecute opponents and critics of the government.”bolivar’s anger” A wave of repression launched by President Maduro against dissidents in January. Maduro’s regime claims that those arrested at the time were part of an “assassination” plot against dictator Maduro and other members of his regime.
The alleged “plot” to assassinate Maduro is called “Operation White Bracelet,” according to socialist government officials. Bariñas told the Human Rights Council that several Venezuelan nationals, including activist Rocio San Miguel, were arrested in February on suspicion of involvement in the conspiracy. The United Nations Human Rights Office publicly expressed concern over San Miguel’s arrest. In contrast, the Maduro government exiled Office staff stationed in Caracas.
“The mission has documented the cases of 18 other women who, along with Rocio San Miguel, continue to be detained in recent years on suspicion of involvement in a ‘conspiracy’ to overthrow the government,” Valinhas said. Ta. “Selective detention of opposition figures by authorities involved in the so-called Operation White Bracelet continues.”
Valinhas said the investigation team had found “indications that state security forces continue to commit serious human rights violations that remain unpunished,” adding that the public prosecutor’s office found “the government’s repressive mechanisms to give the state a semblance of legitimacy.” It continues to function as part of the Persecution of critical voices. ”
“Furthermore, the mission is investigating the role of the Bolivarian National Guard in serious human rights violations and international crimes over the past decade, with the aim of clarifying the chain of command and identifying individual responsibility,” she said. Stated.
Valinhas concluded by explaining that the Independent Fact-Finding Mission will continue its investigation and will submit a new report in September.
The Maduro government immediately was denied Wednesday’s report called it “baseless accusations and lies by a false and shameful International Fact-Finding Mission.”
Last September 2022 reportAn independent fact-finding mission reveals that the Maduro regime uses the security apparatus to carry out crimes against humanity through extreme torture, sexual violence, and other cruel, inhuman and degrading acts. .
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
