CIDH Urges Venezuela to Restore Passports Amid US Talks, Opposition Claims Maduro Weaker

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) and the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE) have condemned the arbitrary and illegal annulment of passports in Venezuela, urging the government to immediately restore them to opposition members, human rights defenders, and journalists. This call has been reiterated multiple times by the CIDH, emphasizing the violation of human rights. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Colombia confirmed ongoing communication with both Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and opposition leaders, particularly María Corina Machado, despite no formal diplomatic relations.

The U.S. official highlighted the repression in Venezuela and noted that the Venezuelan government holds prisoners from several countries, including Colombia and the United States. Opposition leader María Corina Machado described Maduro as "weaker than ever" and accused him of losing everything due to his brutal and criminal behavior. Additionally, Amnesty International has demanded the release of Venezuelan activist Eduardo Torres, calling for an immediate end to attacks on civic space in the country.