IACHR condemns forced exile of Edmundo González and acts of aggression at Argentina's embassy in Venezuela

September 13, 2024

Washington, D.C. —The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has strongly condemned the forced exile of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia and the acts of aggression targeting Argentina's embassy in Caracas, where several opposition leaders have sought asylum. The Venezuelan State must immediately cease this political persecution, uphold its international obligations regarding diplomatic asylum, and restore democratic order.

According to official information, opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia left Venezuela on September 7 to seek international protection in Spain. Opposition leader María Corina Machado confirmed that this departure was not voluntary but was necessary to safeguard his life, integrity, and freedom.

The IACHR has consistently documented a pattern of democratic and institutional breakdown in Venezuela, which includes the excessive use of force by state agents, arbitrary detentions of protesters and opposition leaders, unfounded judicial proceedings and arrest warrants, and the revocation of passports belonging to political opponents, journalists, and human rights defenders.

Furthermore, on September 6, Argentina's embassy in Caracas (which has been under Brazilian custody since August 1) was targeted by State agents through an operation involving at least 20 armed public officials who reportedly surrounded the residence, cut off its electricity, and blocked the delivery of food for over 24 hours.

As an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR is charged with ensuring respect for human rights and compliance with international law. In this capacity, the IACHR emphasizes the importance of States adhering to the international obligations that stem from customary international law and treaties, including the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1954 Convention on Diplomatic Asylum.

In a functioning democracy, no political leader should be forced to seek refuge in an embassy or flee their country to protect fundamental rights such as life, integrity, and liberty. The IACHR stresses that these actions by the Venezuelan State appear designed to instill fear and discourage the opposition from participating in politics. The IACHR again calls on the Venezuelan State to respect, protect, and guarantee the human rights of all Venezuelans and to use all available means to resolve conflicts, prioritizing dialogue and negotiation.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

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