Venezuela’s government has issued a mandate for United Nations Human Rights personnel to vacate the country within 72 hours, signaling a reevaluation of their cooperation.
The decision follows the government’s assertion of suspending activities of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ technical advisory office, prompting a comprehensive review of collaboration terms over the next month.
In response, the UN expressed regret, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to engaging with Venezuelan authorities and stakeholders to safeguard the human rights of the Venezuelan populace.
This move comes amid Venezuelan state television’s scathing critique of recent remarks by the UN’s special rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, who highlighted shortcomings in the government’s food program, citing political susceptibility and failure to address hunger’s root causes.
Accusing the UN human rights office of adopting a “colonialist, abusive, and violating attitude,” the Venezuelan government condemned its purported support for impunity in activities such as assassination attempts and coups.
Such accusations are recurrent, often targeting political opposition members, who vehemently deny involvement in subversive activities against President Nicolas Maduro.
The international community, including the United States, has voiced concern over recent detentions in Venezuela, notably that of defense expert Rocio San Miguel and several of her family members.
While some have since been released, these incidents further exacerbate tensions between Venezuela and global entities, with the White House indicating continued monitoring of the situation.
Amidst these developments, other UN agencies, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF, continue their operations in Venezuela, underscoring the broader implications of the country’s decision on international cooperation and human rights advocacy.
