The Daily Journal.- Human rights organization PROVEA warned about the consolidation of a pattern of selective repression, militarization of internal security, and criminalization of political dissent in the country.
The non-governmental organization presented its annual report titled Human Rights Situation in Venezuela this Thursday at the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV).
According to the data collected, although the total number of arbitrary detentions in 2025 decreased compared to the period of mass repression following the 2024 elections, the Venezuelan State deepened mechanisms of targeted persecution against political leaders, social activists, workers, and human rights defenders.
More Than 500 Detentions for Political Reasons
PROVEA recorded 596 alleged violations of the right to personal liberty during 2025. Of that total, 513 cases — equivalent to 86% — were linked to political motives.
The organization highlighted that, although overall detentions decreased by 77.4% compared to the repressive peak of 2024, individual detentions increased by 31.5% above the historical average of recent decades, evidencing “a more targeted and selective policy of persecution.”
The report identifies men, political leaders, and social activists as the main victims, in addition to workers and laborers. The highest peaks in detentions occurred in January, in the context of the presidential inauguration, and between May and June during regional and legislative elections.
Alarming Increase in Forced Disappearances
One of the most serious aspects documented by PROVEA was the increase in forced disappearances.
The NGO recorded 95 cases involving 160 victims, a figure representing an increase of 196% compared to 2024 and 841% above the average of the last 25 years.
According to the report, 91% of these disappearances were politically motivated.
Militarization of Repression
PROVEA pointed to increasing participation by military bodies and intelligence agencies in repressive operations.
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces ( FANB) were held responsible for 43 % of general detentions, while the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) accounted for 31% of political detentions and 39% of forced disappearances.
The report also attributed significant involvement to the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) and the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), agencies that, together with the DGCIM, carried out 97% of the recorded detentions.
Torture and Cruel Treatment Continue
Regarding personal integrity, PROVEA documented 659 complaints of violations of this right during 2025.
Among them were 54 reports of torture. The main agencies implicated were the DGCIM, SEBIN, and the PNB.
Victims reported beatings, fractures, electric shocks to intimate body parts, suffocation with plastic bags, burns, and fingernail removal, among other methods.
The organization also reported the death of 65-year-old Elvira Guerrero while in PNB custody in Barinas, as well as the death of former Nueva Esparta governor Alfredo Díaz while detained by SEBIN without receiving adequate medical attention.
In addition, PROVEA recorded 580 victims of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, including 463 political prisoners who reported denial of medical services, isolation, and restrictions on contact with family members.
Raids, Threats, and Decline in Protests
The report documented 33 illegal raids carried out without court orders and 28 complaints of threats against relatives of political prisoners, journalists, doctors, and opposition leaders.
PROVEA also warned about a sharp decline in social protests in Venezuela. During 2025, 2,219 demonstrations were recorded, a 49.6% drop compared to the previous historic low registered in 2013.
The organization attributed this decline to the “state terrorism” established after the 2024 presidential elections.
In this context, PROVEA recalled the attack carried out in August 2025 against a vigil organized by mothers of political prisoners outside the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas, involving police officers and armed civilian groups identified as “colectivos.”
Likewise, the report highlighted that the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission concluded that the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) has systematically committed crimes against humanity for more than a decade.
Older Adults and Minors Among the Victims
PROVEA also warned about the vulnerability of political prisoners.
Thirty-two percent of those detained for political reasons are over 55 years old, and at least 11.3% suffer from serious health conditions due to unsanitary detention conditions and lack of medical care.
The NGO also documented the arbitrary detention of at least 14 minors during the year.
