Widespread protests have rocked Caracas following the contested inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro on January 10, 2019. Many consider the election, which the opposition boycotted, to be illegitimate, and claim that his government has systemically dismantled the country’s system of checks and balances. Days after the inauguration, the leader of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, declared Maduro’s presidency illegitimate and accepted a position as interim president until new elections are held.

The recent protests are especially notable, because they are concentrated in low-income barrios. This group has historically supported Maduro, and this development is another indicator of his dwindling support among all sectors of society, notes the World Movement Steering Committee member and Venezuela National Assembly member, Tamara Adrian. Already, 35 people have been killed and 943 detained in connection to the protests. Additionally, human rights organizations have reported a frightening new pattern of repression by government security forces, which are arresting protesters from their homes during nighttime raids.

This repression reflects the longstanding political crisis in Venezuela that has undermined the individual freedoms and human rights of Venezuelan citizens. The World Movement is gravely concerned by the continued disregard for the fundamental rights of citizens to express their opinions and assemble freely without fear of retribution by their government. These rights are enshrined in both international law and Venezuela’s constitution. We stand in solidarity with Venezuelan civil society and the political prisoners who have been targeted under the Maduro government.

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