HRW Reports Venezuela Repression Pause, Urges Reforms

Human Rights Watch made its first official visit to Venezuela since 2008 and said interim President Delcy Rodríguez has overseen a pause to the most overt forms of repression since taking office after the United States captured Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. HRW met Rodríguez, officials, human rights groups, opposition members, journalists and relatives of political prisoners in Caracas and visited Petare. Authorities have released hundreds of political prisoners, passed an amnesty law, unblocked some media websites and announced judicial reforms. On September 18 they closed the criminal case against Carlos Correa of Espacio Público and detained former opposition mayor Javier Oropeza, releasing him within hours. Foro Penal says at least 344 political prisoners remain jailed. Federico Borello of HRW said the gains will only become sustainable with robust institutional reforms and the release of all political prisoners, and that Venezuelans deserve timely, free and fair elections requiring opponents to take part and run for office. HRW has documented torture at Rodeo I and called for its closure plus unfettered access for the ICRC and OHCHR. UN fact-finders reported on September 16 that the repression machinery is intact. HumVenezuela reported 18 million of 28.5 million Venezuelans could not meet basic needs before June quakes that left at least 6,300 dead.