Post by : Saif Rahman

A recent report by the United Nations has highlighted the troubling actions of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard (GNB). The UN Fact-Finding Mission details that the GNB has committed numerous human rights violations and crimes against humanity for over ten years, primarily directed at those perceived to oppose President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.

The documented abuses trace back to 2014, extending through significant protests, electoral processes, and moments of political unrest. Evidence indicating arbitrary detentions, torture, and sexual violence within GNB facilities has been uncovered. Victims ranged from activists and journalists to ordinary citizens opposing the government.

Marta Valinas, who leads the UN mission, emphasized that the findings reveal a consistent pattern of systematic repression. She noted that the GNB’s actions were part of an orchestrated strategy rather than random acts by a few officers, aimed at silencing dissent and exerting control over the populace.

Particularly alarming were the findings related to the so-called “knock knock” raids following the 2024 elections. During these operations, security personnel invaded the residences of government critics, often under the cover of night and without prior warning. Many were taken away without any legal protocols, particularly affecting impoverished communities unable to resist.

The mission also cataloged instances of severe mistreatment. Accounts describe detainees subjected to beatings, threats, and torture, with reports of sexual violence including rape. According to the UN, these acts served not only as punishment but also to crush the will of the victims. The report suggests that top leaders, including those within the National Guard's high command, were complicit in these abuses.

In response to similar allegations previously, Maduro’s administration has consistently denied such claims, asserting that UN reports are biased and laden with inaccuracies. Officials argue that Venezuela is engaged in self-defense against external threats, particularly from the U.S. Recently, heightened tensions between the nations have surfaced, with President Donald Trump mentioning potential military interventions, accusing the Venezuelan leadership of drug-related crimes.

Maduro has countered by claiming that the U.S. aims to usurp control over Venezuela’s oil resources and destabilize his regime.

Nonetheless, the UN mission asserts that its findings are rooted in extensive interviews, documentation, and corroborated evidence. The report outlines how the GNB broadened its role within the framework of Venezuela’s “national security” agenda. Rather than focusing solely on border security or crime prevention, the GNB has become increasingly involved in political repression and domestic security, gaining greater authority to execute oppressive measures largely unchecked.

The report concludes that these abuses represent a deliberate long-term strategy to uphold political dominance and silence opposition voices. It further cautions that without global intervention, this cycle of violence could persist.

This report is poised to intensify international scrutiny on the Venezuelan government. Human rights organizations are urging for deeper investigations and more robust measures to safeguard the rights of Venezuelans.

For numerous families in Venezuela, these revelations validate their long-held beliefs that security forces, particularly the National Guard, function more as instruments of intimidation than as protectors.

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