Negotiations barely got started in Mexico between representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his political opposition last month before the United States announced the loosening of oil sanctions imposed on the regime. The move, allowing Chevron to begin pumping oil again, comes amid global energy shortages following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Profits are to go to Venezuela’s creditors in the US, not the state oil firm, PDVSA.
No imminent rapprochement is expected between Maduro and the opposition, but the talks have yielded a “social protection agreement” that should unfreeze billions of dollars in state funds from the international financial system. The money is to be gradually released from a UN-managed fund for healthcare and the power grid, though few specifics have been provided. According to the UN’s latest humanitarian response plan, 9.3 million Venezuelans are expected to be in need in the coming year. Poverty and hunger are widespread, while 7.1 million have fled the country since 2015 to try their luck abroad.
From The New Humanitarian, Dec. 2
Note: Chevron is also to take operational control of the Petropiar refinery near Barcelona in northeast Venezuela.
See our last posts on Venezuela’s political crisis, the sanctions, and the global food and energy crisis sparked by the Ukraine war. It should be noted that Venezuela’s food crisis well predates the Ukraine war.
Venezuela opposition dissolves ‘government’ of interim president
Venezuela’s opposition National Assembly on Dec. 29 voted 72 to 29 to dissolve the declared interim government, and remove its leader Juan Guaidó. They also voted to constitute a commission to oversee the foreign assets of the Venezuelan government. President Nicolas Maduro controls the nation’s judiciary and armed forces, while the legislature claims control over foreign assets. Three opposition parties supported the bill–Justice First, Democratic Action and A New Era. Guaidó’s party, Popular Will, opposed it. (Jurist)
Green shoots for Venezuelans?
After years of economic collapse and humanitarian crisis that have seen more than 7.7 million Venezuelans—one in four—leave the country, some flickers of hope at last. President Nicolás Maduro’s government and the opposition signed a deal Oct. 17 paving the way for elections to take place next year—the first that might be recognized by both sides since before the death of president Hugo Chávez more than a decade ago. The agreement prompted the United States to ease Venezuela’s oil sanctions, which should take some economic pressure off a country where 19 million people (out of a population of 28.7 million) now have humanitarian needs, according to the UN.
Only 30.8% of Venezuela’s UN humanitarian response plan for 2023 has been funded so far, but a massive new UN-administered aid fund is said to be in th works. The fund—which Maduro’s government and the opposition had agreed to in principle last November—will allow Venezuelan assets frozen by sanctions overseas to be released to finance programmes in health, education, food security, and electricity. About $600 million is expected to be progressively unfrozen, which could go a long way to helping to tackle chronic food shortages and rebuild the shattered healthcare system. (TNH)
Venezuela: government, opposition at odds over candidate
The opposition has overwhelmingly chosen María Corina Machado as its candidate in Venezuela’s first presidential primaries since 2012. But the attorney general has launched a criminal investigation into Machado, alleging electoral fraud, and it remains unclear if she will be allowed to run for office. On Oct. 17, President Nicolás Maduro signed an agreement with the opposition in Barbados to hold free and fair elections next year in exchange for an easing of US sanctions. (TNH)
Venezuela suspends results of opposition primary
Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice suspended the results of the country’s opposition primary elections and disqualified three candidates from running for office. The Oct. 30 decision cites “unconstitutional and illegal acts of the National Primary Commission.” The Oct. 22 primaries elected Maria Corina Machado with over 93% of the vote. The complainant, José Dionisio Brito Rodríguez (“Brito”), is a lawmaker who is sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control for trying to “illegitimately seize control of the National Assembly” on behalf of President Nicolas Maduro. (Jurist)
Venezuelan rights activist held in alleged plot to assassinate Maduro
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab confirmed on Feb. 11 the arrest and detention of Rocío San Miguel, a prominent human rights activist and leader of the NGO Control Ciudadano, for alleged involvement with a conspiracy to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. This arrest follows the detention of 36 Venezuelan government critics just weeks ago, who were also accused of having ties to alleged plots against Maduro. The arrests have raised concerns among human rights organizations about the shrinking space for dissent and the erosion of civil liberties in Venezuela. (Jurist)
Venezuela suspends UN human rights office
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil announced Feb. 15 that the Venezuelan government has decided to suspend the activities of the Technical Assistance Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela, alleging a deviation from its mandate. Additionally, Gil stated that the personnel affiliated with this office must leave Venezuelan territory within 72 hours. (Venezuela)
Venezuela opposition leader claims campaign manager ‘kidnapped’
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado claimed March 10 that the regime of President Nicolás Maduro has “kidnapped” her campaign manager Emill Brandt in the sate of Barinas, and that another of her campaign managers has been “kidnapped” and is currently being held in El Helicoide, calling the prison “the largest torture center in Latin America.” (Jurist)
Venezuela detains opposition campaign members
Venezuela Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the detention of two members of the Opposition Campaign Command, vehicle of presidential candidate María Corina Machado, on accusations that the two are linked to a plan to destabilize the government. The move came on March 20, eve of the registration deadline for presidential candidates. With these detentions, the Maduro government has arrested at least six opposition leaders in the course of the race leading up to the next July 28 election. (Jurist)
US reimposes oil sanctions on Venezuela
The United States is to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector in response to the Maduro government’s failure to allow “an inclusive and competitive election” to take place.
Last October, citing commitments made by President Nicolas Maduro in 2024, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary authorization to allow transactions with the country’s national oil and gas sector without fear of sanctions.
That authorization, formally known as General License 44, was due to expire on April 18 and the administration had to decide whether the Venezuelan government was upholding those commitments, which were made under the Barbados Agreement between representatives of Maduro and members of the political opposition in Venezuela.
According to a senior White House official, the US “completed a very careful review” and determined that the Maduro government “has fallen short” in several key areas of the agreement. (CNN)
Opposition candidate skyrockets ahead of Maduro in polls
A recent poll shows that the opposition’s main candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, has a 40-point lead over president Nicolás Maduro ahead of elections scheduled for July. Roughly 62% of those surveyed said they preferred González, versus 20% for Maduro. (TNH)
Venezuela: ‘arbitrary detentions’ ahead of presidential election
Venezuelan opposition parties said June 15 that three activists for the opposition were arbitrarily detained on Friday and have not been seen since, following a string of opposition political activists being detained ahead of Venezuela’s July presidential elections. (Jurist)
Venezuela opposition leader’s security chief arrested
The security chief of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was arrested July 17, less than two weeks before the country’s presidential election, the Vente Venezuela political party said on Twitter. Milciades Ávila is accused in connection with a confrontation with a group women who confronted Machado and opposition politician Edmundo González last week in a restaurant. (Jurist)
Repression as Venezuelans protest Maduro victory claim
Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets July 30, rejecting official results of te weekend’s elections as Nicolás Maduro was declared victor by the National Electoral Council (NEC). The main avenues of Caracas were filled with people carrying banners and shouting slogans against the government and the NEC, accusing them of manipulating the results in favor of the ruling party. Reports of repression include alarming figures of 11 people killed and over 100 injured. Maduro’s government has announced the arrest of more than 700 people, including opposition leader Freddy Superlano.
The protests follow a call for mass mobilization by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was disqualified from running in the race and replaced by Edmundo González. The opposition claims to have evidence of that González was the true victory, securing 70% of the votes compared to Maduro’s 30%.
President of the National Assembly Jorge Rodríguez stated that María Machado and Edmundo González “must be imprisoned.” In response, Costa Rica offered political asylum to Machado, which was rejected by the opposition leader with gratitude, stating it was her “responsibility…to continue this struggle alongside the people.” (Jurist)
EU countries demand release of Venezuela voting records
Several EU countries called on Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) Aug. 3 to demand the release of the official voting records, after Nicolás Maduro declared victory in recent elections despite conflicting election data published by the opposition. (Jurist)
Hundreds of protests are reported nationwide since the election result was declared. Human Rights Watch says it had received reports of 20 protest-related deaths. (TNH)
Venezuela launches criminal investigation of opposition leaders
The Public Ministry of Venezuela will commence a criminal investigation against opposition leaders Edmundo González and María Corina Machado, prosecutor general Tarek William Saab announced Aug. 5.
The official communication by the Ministry accuses the two leaders of usurpation of official functions, dissemination of false information, instigating disobedience of the norms, instigating an insurrection, associating to commit crimes, and conspiracy. (Jurist)
Maduro vows to ‘pulverize’ opponents
Security forces in Venezuela are going door-to-door to round up opposition activists as part of a government crackdown being dubbed “Operation Knock-Knock.” Up to 2,000 have been arrested in the raids. (PRI, Reuters) Nicolás Maduro has vowed to “pulverize” the latest challenge to his rule and told troops he is “willing to do anything” to protect his “revolution.” (Irish Times)
Venezuela Supreme Tribunal confirms Maduro’s re-election
The Supreme Tribunal of Venezuela (TSJ) ratified Nicolás Maduro as president Aug. 22, validating the results issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE). (Jurist)
Venezuela: top election official reveals irregularities
The head of the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Venezuela, Juan Carlos Delpino, revealed in a statement Aug. 26 a series of irregularities during the July 2024 presidential elections in Venezuela, questioning the electoral process and the integrity of the announced results.
“Everything that happened before, during and after the presidential election, points to the seriousness of the lack of transparency and veracity of the announced results,” he said. (Jurist)
Venezuela prosecutor issues second summons for opposition leader
Venezuela prosecutors issued a second summons to opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez on Aug. 26 for questioning regarding an opposition website that posted details surrounding the disputed presidential election last month. (Jurist)
Crackdown continues in Venezuela
Post-electoral repression continues in Venezuela. In the past month 1,780 people have been arrested, many of them children. On Aug. 27, Perkins Rocha, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s lawyer, was detained. (TNH)
US seizes official aircraft of Venezuela leader Nicolás Maduro
The US seized the official aircraft of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Sept. 2 after the Dominican Republic seized and transferred it to the Southern District of Florida in accordance with export controls and sanctions law. (Jurist)
That same day, a Venezuelan court issued an arrest warrant for former presidential candidate Edmundo González. The move comes after Attorney General Tarek Saab initiated a criminal investigation into González and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for claiming victory in the election and creating a website to publish tally sheets from over 80 percent of the 30,000 voting machines, asserting that the election was fraudulent. (Jurist)
OHCHR: ‘Climate of fear’’ in Venezuela
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) described a continuing “climate of fear” in Venezuela on Sept. 3 after the issuing of an arrest warrant for the opposition’s presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez. (Jurist)
Christmas comes early for Venezuelans, but not in a good way
Despite mounting pressure from the United States and regional leaders, President Nicolás Maduro is continuing his violent and abusive post-election crackdown. After analyzing dozens of videos, Human Rights Watch confirmed that 24 people had been killed and more than 2,400 people arrested, calling the repression “shockingly brutal.” Since the July 28 elections that he insists he won narrowly, Maduro has persecuted demonstrators, journalists, and political opponents alike.
The appointment by Maduro of a hardline loyalist, Diosdado Cabello, as the new interior minister (in charge of the police) has only added to the climate of fear. To distract people from the crisis, Maduro has advanced Christmas celebrations to October. But most Venezuelans feel they have nothing to celebrate, and many have said they might now join the exodus that has seen more than 7.7 million Venezuelans leave their country since 2025. (TNH)
Venezuela opposition leader Edmundo González arrives in Spain
Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González arrived in Spain on Sept. 8 after being granted safe passage through an agreement between Madrid and Caracas. The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced that González would begin the asylum process, with Spain ensuring his protection and political rights.
Last week, Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for González after he missed three hearings related to opposition-released election results. The charges against him include “disobedience of laws,” “conspiracy,” and “forgery of public documents.” These charges were strongly rejected in a joint communiqué by Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay. The charges stem from the July 28 elections, in which President Nicolás Maduro officially won a third term amid accusations of fraud from the opposition. González, backed by the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), claims victory in the election and has demanded a detailed breakdown of the results, which the National Electoral Council has yet to provide.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado condemned the Venezuelan government’s persecution of opposition figures following the contested elections, calling it “state terrorism.” She emphasized that the threats against González and his supporters were part of a larger effort to undermine Venezuela’s democratic process.
The PUD also issued a statement in support of González’s decision to seek asylum, describing it as further evidence of “state terrorism” under the Maduro regime. The coalition remains steadfast in demanding González’s inauguration as Venezuela’s president on January 10, 2025. (Jurist)
Venezuela: US sanctions 16 Maduro associates
The US Treasury announced Sept. 12 that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as sanctioned 16 individuals affiliated with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro under terms of Executive Order (EO) 13692, for allegedly obstructing an inclusive presidential election process and violating the human rights of Venezuelans.
According to the Treasury, the 16 sanctioned individuals include leaders of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) and National Electoral Council (CNE) who allegedly obstructed a transparent election process. Intelligence and military officials appointed by Maduro were also sanctioned for allegedly overseeing repression during the post-electoral protests. All property and interests of sanctioned individuals that are possessed, controlled or located in the US are blocked as a result of the sanctions.
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo stated that the Treasury targeted key figures involved in Maduro’s election victory claims. Adeyemo said the Biden-Harris administration will support the democratic aspirations of Venezuelans and hold Maduro and his allies accountable.
In addition, the US State Department announced on the same day that it is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Maduro associates under Presidential Proclamation 9931 for undermining Venezuela’s electoral process. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US “will continue to promote accountability for those undermining democracy in Venezuela.” (Jurist)
UN sees rights abuses in Venezuela repression
A United Nations report stated Sept. 17 that the Venezuelan authorities’ repression of the protests following the July 28 elections reached an unprecedented level of violence, including the commission of human rights violations. The report was conducted by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Republic of Venezuela. (Jurist)