Venezuela

After the country’s ruling party accused the Venezuelan Red Cross of conspiring against the Bolivarian revolution and mistreating its employees and volunteers, Venezuela’s Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia) ordered a restructuring of the organization. It named a businessman, close to Maduro’s government to lead the board that will administer the Red Cross’s assets and work on its ‘modernization’. It further announced the previous president and board members could be the subject of a prosecution. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has expressed its concern over the government’s intervention in its Venezuelan chapter and emphasized that its own mechanisms are able to address allegations of internal misconduct. 

Nicolas Maduro Humanitarian Aid

A ruling by the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber decriminalized gay sex in the military, by annulling a provision from the Military Justice Code that penalized same sex with up to three years imprisonment. The Chamber concluded that the provision was vague and contravened both the country’s constitution as well as the principle of progressiveness of human rights. LGBTQIA+ rights activists had called for the elimination of such provision and have characterized the decision as meaningful but have also highlighted that the country has yet to address other discriminatory legislation and marriage equality. 

LGBTQIA+ Rights

The “interim" or parallel government, established by the main opposition parties in Venezuela, and recognised by a number of countries internationally, after the 2018 elections were discredited, was ended in a vote held on 22 December. Juan Guaido’s mandate as “interim president” was concluded, with supportive political parties arguing the unviability of a strategy that relies on symbolic leadership and the non-recognition of Nicolas Maduro as president. Some members of the opposition have also argued the need to concentrate efforts in ensuring that the 2024 elections are free and fair, including through the dialogue and negotiations with Maduro’s government that resumed last month with the facilitation of Norway.

Elections Nicolas Maduro Juan Guaido

An agreement reached between the Venezuelan government and the opposition will allow for assets previously frozen due to international sanctions to be used to finance social projects. The agreement was facilitated by Norway. Both the international community and the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, have expressed their hope that the agreement could serve as a step to ensure that the 2024 elections in Venezuela meet the minimum conditions to be free and fair.

Nicolas Maduro Sanctions