Statement on the Grave Deterioration of Democracy in Venezuela
We, the Community of Democracies Governing Council Members (Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Panama, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania) express our profound alarm regarding, and condemnation of, the severe ongoing deterioration of democracy in Venezuela.
The systematic dismantling of the rule of law and the suppression of fundamental rights and freedoms blatantly contradict the will of the Venezuelan people. The July 28, 2024, electoral process was fraudulent and failed to meet basic transparency and integrity standards.
The current trajectory of the Nicolás Maduro regime continues to be deeply concerning. We are particularly alarmed by the continuing detention of over 900 political prisoners, the pervasive use of government-aligned armed civilian groups, known as “colectivos,” to intimidate and silence dissent, and the environment of continued political repression in which the recent 25 May elections for governors and National Assembly Members were held.
Furthermore, we are gravely concerned by the support provided to the Maduro regime by authoritarian states. This assistance reinforces the regime’s capacity to defy international norms, perpetuates its authoritarian control, and critically undermines global democratic resilience. It provides an illegitimate lifeline to a regime that systematically violates the rights of its own people.
Considering these pressing concerns, We:
Unequivocally condemn the Maduro regime’s systematic violations of human rights. These violations include arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and extrajudicial killings, as extensively documented by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela (A/HRC/54/CRP.5, 2023) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. We also note that these abuses are currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court (Venezuela I, 2021–2023) as potential crimes against humanity.
Call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and an immediate end to arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, and all politically motivated persecutions.
Support the continuation of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for grave human rights abuses and undermining the rule of law, while ensuring that such measures are attuned so as to avoid harming the Venezuelan population.
Encourage the establishment of a coordinated coalition of democratic states to assist Venezuela in facilitating a peaceful transition of power, upholding electoral legitimacy, and ensuring accountability for past and ongoing abuses, and taking meaningful steps towards a democratic transition.
Call on the global democratic community to provide robust technical assistance to Venezuelan civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and independent media. Their courageous work is essential to preserving democratic space and providing vital information under sustained repression.
Underscore the critical importance of sustained independent monitoring of the situation in Venezuela and call on the international community to consider collective measures if the crisis continues to escalate, demonstrating support for the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of freedom and democracy.
The Community of Democracies Member States (Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Panama, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania) stand united and in solidarity with the Venezuelan people in defense of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
