The Daily Journal — Venezuelan human rights organization Provea demanded detailed information from Venezuelan state authorities regarding the military operation in the south of the country, which the United States and the government of Delcy Rodríguez reportedly coordinated and which allegedly resulted in the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero, known as “Niño Guerrero,” whom authorities identify as the leader of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua.
In a statement, Provea asserted that authorities must combat organized crime within the strict framework of the Constitution.
“The fight against organized crime must proceed under the State authorities’ strict obligation to guarantee public safety,”
the organization stated, warning that authorities cannot carry out such actions while disregarding the Constitution, undermining institutions, or violating national sovereignty.
The NGO stressed that citizens “have the right to know the exact terms, legal scope, and chain of command behind the operation coordinated between the United States and the government of Delcy Rodríguez.” Based on the information currently available, Provea argued that the operation “appears to constitute a clear violation of the country’s territorial sovereignty and a serious human rights violation due to the apparent commission of an extrajudicial execution.”
Provea also requested details regarding the outcome of the operation.
“The Venezuelan State has an obligation to provide reliable and verifiable information regarding the human toll of the operation, including the exact number of people killed, injured, and detained, while ensuring the proper identification of the victims,”
the organization said.
Provea recalled that it requested information from authorities on June 9 regarding these operations in Bolívar state but received no immediate response.
“Authorities provided no information until White House spokespersons disclosed details of the military action,”
the organization added.
Provea also warned about patterns observed in previous security operations across the country.
“We must insist firmly that State action can never translate into extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, torture, or cruel treatment under any circumstances,”
the organization stated.
Provea linked the situation in southern Venezuela to institutional deterioration and extractive activities in the region.
“Violence and the control exercised by criminal groups in southern Venezuela are the direct result of years of state neglect and policies that prioritized opaque resource extraction over institution-building,”
the organization asserted.
Provea noted that the creation of the Orinoco Mining Arc in 2016 accelerated large-scale mining activities and intensified disputes over territorial control and natural resources.
Institutional demands
The NGO also requested clarification from the Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding its knowledge of the operation and whether it intends to open an investigation.
Likewise, it urged the Ombudsperson’s Office to explain its role in overseeing the operation and protecting human rights.
Provea demanded
“absolute transparency regarding the international agreements that support this operation and full guarantees that patterns of extrajudicial executions will not recur.”
Finally, the organization warned that the fight against organized crime
“cannot serve as a blank check for human rights violations,”
and cautioned that international security cooperation could lead to actions that conflict with international standards.
