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Venezuela: A Mirror of Latin American Reality
by Eugenia López Uribe, IPPF ACRO Regional Director
The democratic breakdown in Venezuela, which obviously did not begin this year, reflects the political, economic, environmental and social crises in our region. As is public knowledge, on 28 July, the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared the current president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, elected by majority for his third presidential term. Since the news, the acts of violence and repression with human rights violations have escalated.
What is happening today in Venezuela, with the lack of transparency in the electoral process, social protests, violent repression and severe state violations of human rights also affects other countries in the region, regardless of their right or left ideological positions.
Latin America has seen a resurgence of authoritarian leaders who have severely weakened efforts to promote democracy and human rights. Nicaragua, El Salvador, Argentina and, until recently, Brazil, are some examples. There are patterns and dynamics that, in the last decade, we have seen replicated and normalised, such as the influence of anti-democratic political models and social polarisation as a tool to justify extreme and authoritarian measures.
when
country
Venezuela
region
Las Américas y el Caribe
Subject
Conflict
We must question how Latin American regimes, with their omissions, attacks on rights, corruption, denial or inaction in the face of the climate emergency and setbacks, have legitimized what is happening in Venezuela today. And, on the other hand, to understand how this crisis will, in turn, affect the rest of the region.
In addition to the Venezuelan state's current violent, repressive and criminalising response to social protests, there is already an exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis that the country has been experiencing since the middle of the last decade, with a growing migration crisis that has become a regional issue. Approximately 7.7 million people have been forced to leave Venezuela due to the social, political and economic context.
IPPF has implemented risk mitigation and service provision strategies for displaced persons with Member Associations and Collaborative Partners in the region - Profamilia in Colombia, CEMOPLAF in Ecuador and INPPARES in Peru - to address sexual and reproductive health needs along the migration route. However, these efforts are not enough.
In a humanitarian crisis, a context where basic needs such as food, health and education have limited access, the breakdown of the rule of law allows sexual and gender-based violence to be perpetuated without consequences. The bodies of girls and women, in all their diversity, continue to be part of political strategies of coercion, rape, humiliation and domination.
It is worrying that 55.8% of pregnant Venezuelan women and girls do not have access to adequate medical care and that 95 out of every 1,000 pregnancies occur in women between the ages of 15 and 19. Furthermore, national legislation does not support their rights, with strong criminalisation of abortion limiting their options and putting their lives at risk. Despite the efforts of local human rights organisations and international cooperation, there is little or no progress in guaranteeing and protecting human rights.
What is happening today in Venezuela affects the entire region and requires a collaborative response from Latin America and the Caribbean, with full respect for the decisions of the Venezuelan people. It is unacceptable that some funding countries are blocking the necessary support, and it is urgent to have coordinated actions to ensure respect for human rights and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela and throughout the region.
This crisis reminds us that the struggle for democracy and human rights is ongoing and needs permanent attention. Regional solidarity and international support are vital to face the challenges and build a future where the rights of all people are respected. Let us join forces to ensure that Venezuela returns to the democratic path and strengthens its institutions for the benefit of all its people.