Venezuela Ordered to Retain Election Records as UN Opens Probe

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech following the presidential election results in Caracas, on July 29, 2024. Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images

The United Nations human rights watchdog has opened an investigation into alleged electoral fraud in Venezuela’s disputed July presidential election, according to a Washington-based legal group.

The UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) has ordered Venezuela to retain tally sheets and other electoral materials from the presidential election while the investigation is ongoing, according to the IHR Legal, an international legal group focused on human rights.

The probe was launched after members of the IHR Legal reported to the UN agency in October about “massive electoral fraud” in the July election results that granted Nicolás Maduro a third term despite evidence suggesting that he had lost to opposition candidate Edmundo González.

In a Dec. 3 statement, the complainants said the HRC’s probe marks “a pioneer case in which violations of political rights are alleged to the detriment” of millions of Venezuelans.

They described the opening of the case as “a crucial step” toward restoring democracy and human rights in Venezuela as it could conclude with a decision denying Maduro’s reelection.

“We estimate that the case opened today by the UN will probably conclude with a very transcendent and historic international decision that will confirm that Nicolas Maduro is not the elected president of Venezuela,” they stated.

The complainants accused Venezuelan authorities of violating human rights by failing to publish tally sheets from the election and preventing Venezuelans abroad from exercising their right to vote. They also alleged that the Supreme Court suppressed access to justice by blocking efforts to challenge the election outcome.

The Venezuelan Electoral Council, which is closely allied with Maduro, stated that Maduro won the election with 52 percent of the vote. But an opposition investigation into the election found that González won twice as many votes as Maduro.

González has gone into exile in Spain after Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for him on charges of conspiracy and other crimes. Both the United States and Spain have recognized him as the winner.

González said in September that he was forced to sign a letter accepting that he had lost the presidential election to Maduro before he was allowed to leave the country and seek political asylum in Spain.

“In other words, either I signed or I would face consequences. There were very tense hours of coercion, blackmail, and pressure,” he stated. Gonzalez left the country on Sept. 8 after signing the letter.

Last month, the U.S. government sanctioned 21 Venezuelan security and cabinet-level officials for their roles in “repressing peaceful protesters and carrying out arbitrary detentions.” Washington also imposed new visa restrictions targeting officials aligned with Maduro.

Venezuelan authorities approved a bill last month that would ban supporters of international sanctions from running for office and permitting their prosecution in absentia. Those convicted under the bill could face up to 25 years of imprisonment.

Chris Summers contributed to this report.