Venezuela’s LGBTQ community is enduring a grave crisis of persecution and systemic human rights abuses following the controversial July 28 election. The political instability and subsequent repression under President Nicolás Maduro’s regime have pushed the LGBTQ community into an even more vulnerable position.
Since the disputed election, Venezuela has witnessed a dramatic increase in government-led repression. The regime’s crackdown on dissent has particularly targeted LGBTQ activists and their allies. Prominent activist sources, who have requested anonymity due to safety concerns, describe the situation as dire.
“In Venezuela, the LGBTQ+ community remains one of the most marginalized groups. There is no legal recognition for same-sex marriage, no official acknowledgment of gender identity for trans individuals, and anti-discrimination laws are virtually non-enforced,” explained one activist in an exclusive interview with the Washington Blade from Caracas. “This lack of legal protection has driven many in the community to align with opposition figures like Edmundo González, seeking change through political means.”
American Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other global figures have asserted that Edmundo González won the July 28 election. González has since fled to Spain, where he has been granted asylum. Meanwhile, the Maduro regime has intensified its crackdown on human rights, including launching a campaign of hate speech against the LGBTQ community. Attorney General Tarek William Saab’s derogatory remarks calling transgender individuals “human aberrations” have further fueled a climate of hostility.
LGBTQ activists are bearing the brunt of the regime’s repression. Recent events highlight the extreme dangers facing these individuals. Yendri Velasquez, a notable activist, was detained at Caracas’s Simón Bolívar International Airport when authorities arbitrarily revoked his passport. While he was eventually released, his detention underscores the hazardous conditions faced by LGBTQ rights defenders.
Additional cases include Nelson Merino and recent raids on the homes of activists Koddy Campos and Leandro Viloria, which exemplify the escalating threats against LGBTQ advocates. The Venezuelan National Assembly’s recent legislation, which severely restricts NGO operations, has further endangered organizations working to protect human rights.
“This new law mirrors the repressive tactics observed in Nicaragua, where civil society groups have been systematically dismantled,” noted the Caracas-based activist. “Reports indicate that over 23,000 passports have been unjustly canceled, affecting many, including LGBTQ individuals seeking asylum.”
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has condemned Venezuela’s actions as “State Terrorism.” The situation for Venezuela’s LGBTQ community, already among the most vulnerable, has become even more precarious due to the intensified repression and human rights abuses.
“The LGBTQ community in Venezuela is facing unprecedented challenges as the regime’s authoritarianism deepens,” the activist stated. “International intervention is critical to halt this wave of repression and safeguard those who are courageously fighting for our rights.”
The ongoing crisis highlights the severe challenges faced by Venezuela’s LGBTQ community amidst rising political and social oppression. As the government continues its crackdown, the international community’s role in exerting pressure and advocating for human rights becomes increasingly vital.