Following the American intervention, a state of emergency was declared in Venezuela on Saturday. This measure includes restrictions on the movement of citizens, the confiscation of property for national defense purposes and the suspension of the right to demonstrations and assembly. The United Nations has expressed serious concern that the government will use the security situation and the growing militarization as a pretext for further suppression of freedom of expression, similar to patterns observed in the past. As you may recall, the United Nations Human Rights Office was expelled from the country in February 2024 after reporting on the deterioration of the situation and serious damage to opponents of the government.
On the humanitarian front, the United Nations Coordination Office (OCHA) reported that the political crisis is exacerbating an already difficult situation. Almost eight million people, who make up about a quarter of the country’s population, need humanitarian assistance following years of economic deterioration and instability.