OAS Confirms Maduro's Electoral Fraud, Political Repression in Venezuela Amid 807 Political Prisoners and Asylum Cases

The Organization of American States (OAS) has reaffirmed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro committed electoral fraud and continues to maintain a robust system of political repression. This was discussed during a meeting of the OAS Permanent Council in Washington, where the United States representative, Hillary Renner, described Maduro's regime as "an enemy of humanity." The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) has also reported an intensification of repression in Venezuela since the presidential elections. Human rights organizations like Foro Penal report 807 political prisoners in the country, including four adolescents. The case of María Oropeza, a leader of Vente Venezuela detained for one year, has been highlighted by opposition figure María Corina Machado, who called her an emblem of Venezuelan resistance. Machado also advocated for the release of activist Luis José Magallanes, detained for a month. Meanwhile, María Alejandra Díaz, a chavista lawyer persecuted by Maduro, has been taking refuge for seven months in the Colombian embassy in Caracas, requesting safe conduct to leave Venezuela. Paramilitary groups reportedly attacked mothers of political prisoners protesting outside Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice. Colombia's Foreign Ministry noted that Díaz violated agreed conditions related to her asylum. Former Uruguayan ambassador to the OAS Washington Abdala criticized the silence of several countries on Venezuela's human rights violations, contrasting it with the increased vocal stance of the United States. Additionally, opposition groups and human rights defenders continue to face repression and hostile treatment, including from public defenders. The situation reflects ongoing political persecution and suppression of dissent under Maduro's government.