The Venezuelan human rights organization Provea reported that at least 10,853 people were killed by agents of the Venezuelan state between 2013 and 2025, during Nicolás Maduro's regime. The figure was presented in the NGO's annual report, which describes a deepening of political repression and systematic violations of human rights in the country.
According to the report, in 2025 alone, 336 deaths were recorded attributed to Venezuelan police and military. More than half of the victims were between 18 and 30 years old, and 4% were minors. Provea stated that repressive operations were particularly concentrated in popular neighborhoods, where the state “primarily appears through repressive force” in the absence of social policies.
The NGO also warned of a significant increase in forced disappearances. The report counted 160 victims during 2025, representing a 196% increase compared to the previous year and over 800% compared to the historical average of recent decades.
The former dictator of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro
Among the most recent cases is that of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, detained in January 2025, whose death was announced months later without authorities previously informing of his whereabouts. Human rights organizations believe that this type of practice has become increasingly common within the Venezuelan repressive apparatus.
The report also states that 2025 was the second year with the most political detentions since the onset of late chavismo, with 513 documented arrests. It was only surpassed by 2024, a year marked by massive protests and allegations of electoral fraud following Maduro's proclamation as the winner of the presidential elections without full publication of official records.
Provea also reported torture, cruel treatment, and excessive use of force by agencies such as SEBIN and military bodies. The report claims that there is a “repressive framework” consolidated over recent years and calls for deep reforms to restore democratic and judicial guarantees.
Military tank running over Venezuelan protesters
The NGO's allegations coincide with previous reports from the United Nations and the Independent International Mission for Venezuela, which had already pointed out crimes against humanity committed by Venezuelan security forces. Former UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet previously denounced thousands of extrajudicial executions and systematic persecution against political opponents during Maduro's government.
The Venezuelan regime has repeatedly rejected the accusations and claims that human rights organizations are part of international campaigns against chavismo. However, various local and international NGOs continue to document reports of repression, arbitrary detentions, and political persecution within the country.
