People walk past a mural of Venezuela's warship and warplanes on a street in Caracas on September 5, 2025.
Via Getty Images
Human Rights Watch said the Trump administration's military operation in Venezuela in early 2026 could reinforce the country's repressive political system.
In its World Report 2026, released this week, the rights group said the U.S. attack may "consolidate the country's repressive government so long as it serves U.S. political and business interests," while also contributing to a broader erosion of human rights across Latin America and the Caribbean.
"During its first year in office, the Trump administration has had an unquestionably negative influence over Latin America and the Caribbean," said Juanita Goebertus, the Americas director at Human Rights Watch in a statement. She added that regional governments remain responsible for defending democracy and fundamental rights "regardless of who sits in the White House."
Human Rights Watch said the strike came amid a pattern in which some governments in the region have restricted asylum, abused migrants deported from the United States, and expanded security policies based on mass arrests, military deployment, and excessive force.
The organization also criticized Washington for condemning abuses in countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua while overlooking serious violations in allied nations including El Salvador, Ecuador, and Peru.
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Amnesty International echoed those concerns on Tuesday, calling the January 3 U.S. attack on Venezuela an unlawful use of force under international law. The organization warned that the operation risks undermining the rules-based international order while doing little to address longstanding crimes committed by Venezuelan authorities.
"The U.S. military operation in Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the UN Charter," said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's secretary general. She said the strike could embolden other states to bypass international law and "consolidate" repression inside Venezuela rather than advance accountability.
Both organizations stressed that the Maduro government's removal has not dismantled Venezuela's security and intelligence apparatus. Amnesty International said arbitrary detentions, intimidation, and surveillance continued under the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, despite the release of some detainees and announcements of amnesty measures.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called on regional governments to oppose further U.S. strikes and urged Venezuelan authorities to release all political prisoners, end enforced disappearances and torture, and guarantee basic civil liberties.
"Two wrongs don't make a right," Callamard said, adding that accountability is required both for the U.S. attack and for crimes against humanity committed by Venezuelan authorities. Both groups warned that without meaningful reforms and guarantees of non-repetition, recent developments risk entrenching impunity rather than advancing justice for Venezuelan victims.
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Tags: Human Rights Watch, Human rights, Venezuela, Caracas, Nicolas Maduro, Delcy rodriguez, Trump administration