Venezuela denounces complicit silence of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in the face of violations against compatriots

Published at: 13/05/2025 11:09 AM

Through an official statement, published by the foreign minister, Yván Gil Pinto, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounced the “omissive, biased and cowardly attitude of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in the face of serious violations committed against Venezuelan citizens abroad.”

The official letter condemned that, despite complaints filed by the Bolivarian Government, regarding the kidnapping of more than 250 Venezuelan migrants, by the administration of Nayik Bukele; and the disappearance of the girl Maikelys Espinoza; “the High Commissioner has kept a complicit silence, without demanding her release or speaking out clearly.”

He also described as “unacceptable double standards” his “recent and lukewarm statement”, in which he “virulently attacks Venezuela, is silent in the face of abuses committed by governments aligned with hegemonic interests.”

The following is the full text of the statement:
The Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounces the omissive, biased and cowardly attitude of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in the face of serious violations committed against Venezuelan citizens abroad.

It has been more than six weeks since President Nicolás Maduro directly informed Mr. Türk about the kidnapping of more than 250 Venezuelans in El Salvador, transferred to inhumane detention centers. Added to this is the case of the Venezuelan girl Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal, who was unjustifiably being held in the United States. However, the High Commissioner has kept a complicit silence, without demanding his release or making a clear statement.

His recent and lukewarm statement evidences an unacceptable double standard: while he virulently attacks Venezuela, he is silent in the face of abuses committed by governments aligned with hegemonic interests. He seems more focused on keeping his position than on defending human rights.

The office of High Commissioner requires firmness, not ambiguity. Their lack of action in the face of these crimes reflects a negligent and complacent attitude towards systematic violators of the human rights of Venezuelans. Venezuela will continue to demand justice and denounce the political use of our migrants as hostages in the war against our people.

Caracas, May 13, 2025.

Mazo News Team