Human Rights in Venezuela: Status and Opportunity
Hearing Notice
Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on the human rights in Venezuela.
The people of Venezuela have long experienced violations of their civil and political rights and economic and social rights. This has included the closing of political space, arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial executions, as documented by bodies including the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela established by the UN Human Rights Council and the Special Follow-up Mechanism for Venezuela created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
The twin massive earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24 have caused additional human suffering among a population already struggling to meet basic needs due to the economic policies and corruption of the Maduro government.
On January 3, 2026, U.S. military forces captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transported them to the United States to face narco-terrorism charges. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a three-step plan for Venezuela of stabilization, recovery and transition.
The witnesses will discuss the human rights and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and offer recommendations for U.S. policy.
The hearing will be held in person and is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the interested public, and the media. The hearing will be livestreamed via the Commission website. For any questions, please contact Todd Stein (for Co-Chair McGovern) or Mark Milosch (for Co-Chair Smith).
Hosted by:
| James P. McGovern Member of Congress Co-Chair, TLHRC | Chris Smith Member of Congress Co-Chair, TLHRC |
Opening Remarks
- James P. McGovern, Co-Chair, TLHRC
Written Remarks - Chris Smith, Co-Chair, TLHRC
Written Remarks
Witnesses
- Martha Tineo, Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón
Witness testimony - Beatriz “Bibi” Borges, Executive Director, Center for Justice and Peace
Witness testimony - Laura Cristina Dib, Director for Venezuela, Washington Office on Latin America
Witness testimony - Isabel Carlota Roby, Senior Staff Attorney for Latin America, Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
Witness testimony - Andrés Martínez-Fernández, Senior Policy Analyst for Latin America, Heritage Foundation
Witness testimony
Submitted for the Record
- Committee to Protect Journalists, Statement Submitted for the Record
- Survival International Statement Submitted Submitted for the Record
- Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Foro Penal, Electoral Repression, Enforced Disappearances and Political Control in Venezuela
- Chatham House, The US plan for Venezuela won’t work without the rule of law. Here’s how to make progress
- Council on Foreign Relations, The U.S. Took Over Venezuela’s Oil Industry. Where Has All the Money Gone?
- Atlantic Council, Fact Sheet for Congress, Venezuela’s Digital Repression and Surveillance System