In a new report released on Tuesday, independent U.N. human rights experts revealed that Venezuela's government has escalated the use of brutal and violent tactics of oppression following the disputed July presidential election. The experts, part of a fact-finding mission commissioned by the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, denounced several human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and gender-based violence, which they argue constitute a crime against humanity.

According to the report, the state has reactivated and intensified its repressive apparatus, particularly in the aftermath of the July 28, 2024, presidential election. The official results of the election have faced widespread criticism for being undemocratic, lacking transparency, and serving the primary purpose of consolidating President Nicolás Maduro's hold on power.

The findings of this report echo concerns raised by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Human Rights Watch, and others regarding Venezuela's democracy and the rights violations occurring both before and after the highly contentious election. The flight into exile of Venezuela's opposition leader Edmundo González further underscored these concerns.

During the period covered by the report, Venezuelan authorities openly acknowledged the arrest of over 2,200 individuals, including at least 158 children, some of whom had disabilities. The experts expressed alarm at this new phenomenon, labeling it a conscious plan by the government to suppress any form of dissent. They emphasized that they have been facing a systematic, coordinated, and deliberate repression by the Venezuelan government.

Recent detentions also included nationals from the United States, Spain, and the Czech Republic, all accused by the Venezuelan government of plotting violent actions to destabilize the country. Among them is an American Navy sailor who was apprehended while on personal travel in Venezuela.

The report also highlighted the controversy surrounding the election results, with the National Electoral Council, largely composed of Maduro loyalists, declaring him the winner with 52% of the vote. Opposition supporters contested the results, citing data collected from 80% of electronic voting machines, which allegedly indicated González as the true victor with double the number of votes than Maduro.

The independent experts lamented the lack of transparency and limitations in gathering information during the post-election period. They underlined the dominance of the justice system, which they argued is subordinated to Maduro's interests and serves as a crucial instrument for repressing political and social opposition.

Following Maduro's victory announcement, widespread protests erupted across Venezuela, with people demanding justice and fair elections. While most demonstrations remained peaceful, there were instances of violence, including the toppling of statues, clashes with law enforcement, and the burning of police motorcycles and propaganda.

In response, the Maduro government launched a vigorous crackdown, carrying out arbitrary detentions and prosecutions. They also initiated a campaign urging citizens to report individuals who participated in the protests or expressed doubt about the election results.

The report compiled by the experts relied on interviews with 383 individuals, examinations of court case files, and other relevant documents. However, the experts expressed concerns that their requests for information from Venezuelan authorities were ignored, despite appeals for cooperation from the Human Rights Council.

The findings of this report shed light on the alarming situation in Venezuela, where repression has intensified following the disputed presidential election. The international community's attention is now focused on addressing these grave human rights violations and finding a path towards a more democratic and inclusive Venezuela.