CARACAS.- The regime of Nicolas Maduro announced this Thursday the suspension of the operations of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and ordered the departure of its 13 officials from Venezuela within a period of 72 hours.
Foreign Minister Yván Gil reported that an exhaustive review of the technical cooperation terms established in the agreement signed in 2019 with the OHCHR has begun. In addition, he urged office officials to leave Venezuela until they publicly rectify their position, which the Venezuelan regime described as colonialist, abusive and contrary to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
“This decision is made due to the inappropriate role that this institution has developed, which, far from showing it as an impartial entity, has led it to become the private law firm of coup plotters and terrorist groups that permanently conspire against the country,” says a release.
The event comes amid growing concerns about human rights violations in the country, particularly following the arrest of the lawyer and activist Rocío San Miguelwho was arrested and accused of being involved in an alleged plan to attack Maduro’s life.
In this sense, the Maduro regime is accused of maintaining “a clearly biased and partial position” and of “generating impunity for people involved in various assassination attempts, coups d’état, conspiracies and other serious attacks” against the sovereignty of the country. country, as well as against its Constitution.
Likewise, the text specifies that the Venezuelan institutions prioritized “the path of dialogue”, trying to “redirect the actions of the office” towards “respect for the truth”, although it preferred to exacerbate “the attacks against Venezuela.”
UN demands the release of Rocío San Miguel
On Tuesday, the OHCHR expressed its deep concern about the detention of Rocío San Miguel on its official account on the social network
Before the Venezuelan Foreign Minister’s statements, Commissioner Volker Türk’s office also issued a statement on the same platform, confirming that the San Miguel detention site had been identified and that four relatives had been released on parole. However, they reiterated the need to respect due process and the right to defense.
The attorney general of the Venezuelan regime, Tarek William Saab, rejected the accusations of violations of due process and forced disappearance, ensuring that San Miguel had an arrest warrant since January and that his detention was carried out in accordance with the law.
Allegations of violations of human rights surrounding the San Miguel case have generated a wave of condemnations both inside and outside Venezuela.
Maduro shows “despair”
The Venezuelan opponent, Antonio Ledezma, pointed out that the Maduro regime is showing signs of “desperation” by expelling international organizations such as the OHCHR. “I have never before seen the regime’s leaders so desperate, making senseless blows and making mistakes over and over again,” he said.
The opposition leader affirmed that the expulsion of the OHCHR is a clear example of Maduro’s isolation in the international community. “There is no longer any doubt in any corner of the world that the Maduro regime embodies the essence of a failed State, where independent institutions do not exist and the avenues for a negotiated and peaceful solution are closed,” declared Ledezma.
In addition, Ledezma criticized the hypocrisy of the regime in seeking to participate in international organizations while failing to fulfill its commitments, referring to the 2023 Barbados agreement. “They are the same ones who seek to occupy positions in the UN Human Rights Commission and go to international forums ask for a hearing, when in reality they do not even comply with the agreements they signed,” he said.
Regarding the impact of international sanctions, Ledezma maintained that the Maduro regime and its allies can survive thanks to their access to dollars and privileges, while the vast majority of Venezuelans suffer the consequences. “98% of the population cannot survive under sanctions, unlike those who are aligned with the regime,” he said.
Finally, Ledezma denounced the improper use of funds obtained during the relaxation of sanctions. “It is important for people to know that, during this week of flexibility, Maduro was able to accumulate billions of dollars, but instead of improving the situation of the country, that money was allocated to corruption and the strengthening of political persecution groups. “he concluded.
FOUNTAIN: With information from AP and Europa Press
