El The Washington Post published this Friday a hard editorial where he condemns and denounces the violation of human rights of citizens by the government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
The editorial highlights the report published by the Independent Mission of the United Nations Organization in which it is detailed how the Venezuelan government used State agencies to persecute, intimidate and assassinate political dissidents.
“Venezuela’s pains under the rule of Nicolás Maduro and his mentor Hugo Chávez are plain for all to see: years of severe economic decline, breakdown of democracy, and an epic exodus out of the country. Now comes the details of how Maduro has personally directed the brutal security services to silence dissent,” the editorial reads.
Maduro’s crimes
The editorial board of The Washington Post notes that “the 2020 report found that law enforcement and intelligence services were key to systemic repression.” In addition, he explains that the Maduro government received support from Cuba to carry out these bloody practices.
“The new report points to the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (Dgcim), and the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin),” comments the liberal newspaper, regarding which institutions of the Venezuelan State are in charge of the persecution and mistreatment once morest opponents of Chavismo.
The outlet also refers to the torture used by Venezuelan officials and qualifies them as “appalling punishments.” The UN report, quoted by the newspaper, details that the tortures are “severe beatings with bats and sharp objects; electric shocks to sensitive parts of the body; suffocation with toxic substances and water; cuts and mutilations including on the soles of the feet and under the nails… rape with objects; beatings and electric shocks to the genitals; constant lighting or constant darkness; extreme heat or extreme cold; forced feeding of feces and vomit; and death threats and threats of rape once morest the victims and their families.”
The The The Washington Post highlights the attempts of the Joe Biden government to reestablish relations with Chavismo and insists that the crimes committed by Maduro and his officials must be considered in any political decision.
«Delicate moment for American politics»
“The report comes at a sensitive time for US policy, which has sought to isolate the Maduro regime and still recognizes the democratically elected Juan Guaidó as interim president, although Maduro appears to be tightening his grip,” he said.
“The leftist governments that come to power in Latin America seem willing to reestablish ties with Venezuela. US officials have met directly with the Venezuelan government twice this year to discuss the release of unjustly detained US citizens. Meanwhile, the flow of Venezuelan refugees is a heavy burden on the Western Hemisphere and the United States. In all of this, the crimes of Mr. Maduro should not be overlooked,” the editorial added.
