Nicolás Maduro’s repressive regime has created an unprecedented humanitarian and human rights crisis in Venezuela, with Venezuelan security forces and armed pro-government groups responsible for grave human rights abuses and crimes against humanity.
WOLA
WOLA is a leading research and advocacy organization committed to advancing human rights in the Americas. We create strategic partnerships with courageous people making social change—advocacy organizations, academics, religious and business leaders, artists, and government officials. Together, we advocate for more just societies in the Americas.
The Government of Nicolás Maduro Continues to Violate the Venezuelan People’s Rights of Participation and Non-Discrimination
We, a group of Venezuelan social and human rights organizations, reject the official decisions regarding the request to activate the constitutional right to hold a recall referendum of elected officials. This right is established in Article 72 of the Constitution, and its violation confirms the absence of democracy in the country and the inability for the population to exercise political rights without threat of reprisal.
WOLA to Participate in CODHEZ’s 6th Annual Human Rights Fair
Starting on Saturday, November 13, la Comisión para los Derechos Humanos del Estado Zulia (CODHEZ) is launching the sixth edition of its Human Rights Fair (FDH), an annual event hosted by CODHEZ in alliance with a network of other human rights organizations in the state of Zulia, to allow civil society organizations and activists to offer their reflections about the human rights situation in Venezuela.
ICC Opens Formal Investigation Into Crimes Against Humanity in Venezuela
On November 3, upon concluding a three-day visit to Venezuela, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan announced that the body is opening a formal investigation into crimes against humanity committed by civilian authorities, members of the armed forces and pro-government individuals in the context of protests and repression that have occurred since 2017.
Latin America Advisor Q&A: What to Make of the Alex Saab Extradition
On Monday, November 1, WOLA President Carolina Jiménez Sandoval was featured in a Q&A published in the Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin America Advisor on the implications of Alex Saab’s extradition on a potential democratic transition in Venezuela.
The ‘Super-Network of Corruption” in Venezuela: Judicial Processes in Other Countries and a Potential Democratic Transition
The extradition of Alex Saab, a close ally of Nicolás Maduro, to the United States this month has made headlines across the world, and has shed a light on the enormous and transnational scale of corruption in Venezuela.
Electoral Assessment (1): International Observation and the Right to Vote
This Wednesday, October 27 at 11 a.m. EDT, representatives of the Civic Forum will hold the first of two press conferences about the upcoming regional and local elections, in which they will discuss recent decisions to send missions to observe and accompany the elections on November 21.
International Organizations Express Concern Regarding Administrative Providence that Seeks to Criminalize and Restrict Work of Civil Society Organizations in Venezuela
On September 24, WOLA joined CEJIL, DPLF, and several other organizations in issuing a joint statement expressing concern around an administrative ruling that seeks to criminalize and restrict the critical work that civil society organizations are doing in Venezuela.
A Conversation with Feliciano Reyna on Negotiations to Resolve the Crisis
Join WOLA, the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), the Latin-American Working Group (LAWG), and the Inter-American Dialogue on Thursday, September 30 at 3:30 p.m. EDT for a conversation on Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis and the prospects for a peaceful, negotiated solution.
Latin America Advisor Q&A: What to Expect from Negotiations in Mexico?
On September 9, WOLA Director for Venezuela Geoff Ramsey was featured in a Q&A published by the Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin America Advisor alongside OAS Director of Diversity and Social Inclusion Betilde Muñoz and former U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams. Below is Geoff’s response.