Dear John,

In the wake of ongoing military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific that have killed at least 70 people, WOLA and Amnesty International organized an urgent conversation to examine what's really happening.

The Trump administration claims these lethal attacks on civilian vessels are justified under a "non-international armed conflict" with narco-terrorist organizations. Our expert panelists on international law, drug policy, and civil liberties made clear what these operations actually represent: extrajudicial executions that violate international human rights law, conducted without congressional authorization. 

Meanwhile, the human rights situation for people on the ground in Venezuela remains dire. Nicolás Maduro maintains his systematic repression: more than 1,000 people remain arbitrarily detained on political grounds, at least 176 are subjected to enforced disappearance, and 18 journalists remain imprisoned. Maduro is now using U.S. military actions to present himself as a "victim" and justify an even greater closing of civic space.

Amid this crisis, both the U.S. government and the Maduro regime are spreading narratives riddled with misinformation. WOLA has taken on the crucial role of separating facts from propaganda. That's why we wrote this piece: to help you sort through the information and understand what's really at stake—both for people in Venezuela and for democracy and human rights across the region. You can read the full piece here!

WOLA remains committed to human rights principles—whether that means exposing the Maduro regime's abuses, countering misinformation from all sides, or advocating for congressional oversight and the approval of the War Powers Resolution. We will continue to push for policies that support democratic transition and respect human rights, and we will continue to condemn violations wherever they occur. The defense of democracy and human rights cannot be selective, and it requires holding all actors accountable to the rule of law. 

Sincerely, 

Laura Cristina Dib

Director for Venezuela

For human rights activists across Latin America right now, the stakes are high. Violence around elections is on the rise, as are threats against those who speak in favor of justice and accountability.

Your support of WOLA creates space to amplify the voices of those who put their life on the line to champion human rights; from Caracas, to San Salvador, and everywhere in between.

"I have no doubt that the objective of this campaign is to intimidate and achieve the fall of the Maduro regime." This article is in Spanish.

John Walsh

Director for Drug Policy & the Andes

– El País, El Senado de Estados Unidos rechaza una resolución para prohibir a Trump acciones militares en Venezuela

“It's good that at least the OAS electoral observation mission is already in the country. It can play an important role in that, given the lack of consensus within the National Electoral Council (CNE) just days before the elections, they can urge the OAS to act as a kind of mediator to resolve all the administrative issues." This article is in Spanish.

Ana María Méndez-Dardón

Director for Central America

– RFI, Crisis electoral en Honduras a menos de un mes de las elecciones

"I think we have watched, with great concern, how Maduro's government has been able to exploit U.S. military presence to increase repression and, I reiterate, it represents the complexity of the situation in Venezuela and the importance of a comprehensive U.S. policy facing the reality in Venezuela." This interview is in Spanish.

Maureen Meyer

Vice President for Programs

– VPItv, ¿Violación de derechos humanos? WOLA critica ataques de EE. UU.

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