Dear John,
This Monday, I received horrible news: our close partner and friend, Yendri Velásquez, along with fellow Venezuelan activist Luis Peche, were shot in Bogota. At least fifteen shots were fired at them. Both had to undergo surgery and are currently stable, but the terror of that moment—and what it represents—continues to reverberate.
Yendri is more than a partner to WOLA; he is a beacon of courage in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and democratic freedoms in Venezuela. Just this summer, during Pride, we celebrated his tireless activism. He joined us for a podcast where he shared his journey as an activist and participated in our webinar on LGBTQ+ resistance to authoritarianism, offering insights that inspired so many. To see someone who has given so much to the cause of justice targeted in this way is devastating.
You can read more about the attack and our immediate response here.
This attack is not just about two individuals, but it reflects a chilling reality: transnational repression is escalating, and no border seems to guarantee safety for those who dare to speak truth to power. Venezuelan defenders fleeing persecution are being hunted even in exile. Last night, another human rights defender in Bogota denounced harassment against her and members of her organization. This cannot stand.
Since Monday, we have been working around the clock to condemn these attacks and demand accountability from Colombian authorities, and for Venezuelan human rights defenders to be recognized as people in need of international protection. But condemnation is not enough. We need action. We need protection. We need justice.
Human rights defenders have the right to be safe. This is not a privilege—it is a fundamental right. Yendri, Luis, and countless others like them should be able to do their work without fear of violence or death.
We will not be silent. We will continue to stand with them.
In solidarity,
