How US intervention in Venezuela risks a human rights disaster

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How US intervention in Venezuela risks a human rights disaster

The Trump administration’s brazen military action in Venezuela has sparked fears of a major human rights crisis, Human Rights Watch warned on January 6, 2026. In the early hours of January 3, the US military carried out strikes on Venezuela and took into custody President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both have since been arraigned in a US federal court on drug trafficking and other criminal charges.

“Venezuelans are entitled to freely choose their own leaders and decide their nation’s future,”

said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.

“However, the US appears poised to actively encourage Venezuela to maintain Maduro’s repressive apparatus as long as it furthers US political and business interests.”

Who is running Venezuela now?

President Donald Trump stated that the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily, though he did not clarify what that entails. US officials indicated they plan to collaborate with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, who was sworn in as interim president on January 5.

Authorities said they will use control over the Caribbean oil blockade and the threat of further military strikes to compel Venezuela to comply with US demands. These objectives reportedly include facilitating US oil company investments and addressing gang violence, among other goals.

What was the human cost of the US strikes?

The January 3 military strikes reportedly targeted Venezuelan military facilities, killing dozens of military officers and at least two civilians. Cuba reported 32 Cuban officers among the fatalities. Leading up to these strikes, the Trump administration claims it executed at least 115 people extrajudicially on vessels accused of trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Following the strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will push Venezuela to open its oil sector to US companies, combat criminal groups, and sever ties with Iran and Hezbollah. Trump also warned that a “second strike” could occur if Venezuela does not comply.

Will there be a transition to democracy?

Trump has repeatedly stated the US will “run” Venezuela until a “judicious transition” occurs. However, the government has not specified when or how such a transition might take place, or whether it will include free elections, the release of political prisoners, or other essential human rights protections.

In the Venezuelan elections conducted in July 2024, citizens generally supported the opposition-led candidate, Edmundo González, but Maduro was declared re-elected. After the elections, the Maduro government committed large numbers of human rights abuses, such as killings of protesters, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances of political opponents, among others, targeting human rights defenders.

How severe is Venezuela’s ongoing humanitarian crisis?

For over a decade, Venezuela has been in a humanitarian crisis. Severe shortages of food and medicine have left 14.2 million people in need, and seven million have fled the country. Human rights groups report that more than 860 political prisoners remain incarcerated, while the International Criminal Court investigates alleged crimes against humanity committed since 2014.

Almost one in four Venezuelans—around eight million people—currently require humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Of these, 900,000 have “very high” multisectoral needs, including access to food, healthcare, education, and other basic services.

Are humanitarian conditions improving after the US intervention?

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke stated that although the political situation has fluctuated wildly, the reality of the humanitarian crisis has not altered significantly. In the year 2025, the UN was successful in reaching about two million people. This happened even though the Venezuelan relief operation ranked as the least-funded in the world.

What is the impact on Venezuelan refugees abroad?

The US strikes have not yet triggered big new displacement across Venezuela’s borders, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR. However, nearly 7.9 million Venezuelans have already fled the country, joining more than 6.9 million settling in Latin American and Caribbean nations.

The UNHCR has continued to support host countries by leading the integration of the Venezuelan refugee population into their locales for stability and access to services and protections. Spokesperson Eujin Byun said humanitarian partners continue to monitor border movements and stand ready to provide emergency relief.

What should the international community do?

Human Rights Watch urges Latin American, European, Canadian, and other global leaders to push for a democratic transition, the release of political prisoners, and accountability for human rights violations. The US government is reminded of its obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

“Foreign governments should focus on protecting the rights of Venezuelans who have suffered for a decade under Maduro,”

Goebertus said.

“Trump’s decapitation of the Venezuelan government has done nothing to protect them from further abuse.”