IACHR grants precautionary measures to Mayor Fernando Loaiza Chacón in Venezuela

April 1, 2025

Washington, DC—On March 31, 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 31/2025 granting precautionary measures to Fernando Loaiza Chacón in Venezuela after determining that he faces serious, urgent risk of irreparable harm to his rights.

According to the request, the beneficiary is a political activist belonging to the Democratic Action Party and is currently the mayor of Catatumbo municipality in Zulia state. He was arrested by the State's Strategic Operations Group on March 14, 2025, and his whereabouts and current state of health have since remained unknown. Although efforts have been made to locate Mr. Loaiza Chacón, the State has refused to provide information in connection with his arrest and denies that he is being deprived of his freedom. Likewise, Venezuelan authorities have refused to receive reports of disappearance and attempts to initiate habeas corpus proceedings.

Although the Ministry of Popular Power for Internal Affairs, Justice, and Peace has stated that the beneficiary is involved in a criminal proceeding, the factual and legal grounds for initiating such proceedings remain unknown. In the requesting party's opinion, the proposed beneficiary is being held in prolonged incommunicado detention and is not receiving appropriate treatment for the various medical conditions he suffers. The State has not provided the IACHR with any information about the case.

After analyzing the factual and legal allegations, the IACHR determined the beneficiary's situation to be grave and urgent, given that his whereabouts remain unknown. Consequently, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requested that Venezuela:

1. take all necessary measures to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of Fernando Loaiza Chacón. Specifically, the State must provide official confirmation of whether he is in state custody and provide details regarding his detention or outline the efforts being made to determine his whereabouts or fate;
2. take adequate measures to guarantee that his conditions of detention are compatible with international human rights standards, including:
   1. facilitating contact with his family, legal representatives, and counsel;
   2. providing official information on his legal status and any criminal proceedings in which he may be involved, including the reasons for his continued detention and whether he has appeared before a court for a review of his case; and
   3. conducting an immediate medical evaluation and ensuring he receives any treatment he might need;
3. take the necessary measures to ensure that the beneficiary can carry out his work as mayor and a leader of an opposition party without being subjected to threats, harassment, intimidation, or acts of violence;
4. agree on any measures to be taken with the beneficiary and his representatives; and
5. report on the steps taken to investigate the circumstances that led to the granting of these precautionary measures to prevent their recurrence in the future.

The State's granting and implementation of these precautionary measures shall not be interpreted as a decision on the merits of any petitions that may be submitted to the inter-American system concerning alleged violations of rights protected under applicable human rights instruments.

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.

No. 067/25

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