The UN's independent Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela published its latest findings on 15 September. UN News reported on 16 September that, following the US military rendition of then-President Nicolás Maduro in early January, the State institutions responsible for repression, gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity "remain fundamentally intact".
The mission found that the intelligence services and security forces retain essentially the same structures, policies and practices. It also found that no steps have been taken to disarm or dismantle the colectivos, the pro-Government civilian armed groups that UN News describes as the source of pervasive intimidation, violence and human rights abuses towards communities. At least 19 officials the mission had previously identified for involvement in gross violations remain in, or have been reassigned to, key positions.
There have been some small improvements since the change of government. The mission notes a significant decline in long-term detentions and enforced disappearances, and the release of hundreds of political prisoners. Its Chair, Sofía Macher, said: "The reduction in some of the harshest forms of repression is notable, but it does not yet amount in any way to a transformation of the system that made them possible."
Detention remains the live risk. Civil society organisations recorded at least 214 arbitrary detentions for political reasons between 1 September 2025 and 29 July 2026, though 94 per cent of them happened before the end of 2025. After 3 January, the mission identified a recurrent pattern of short-term arbitrary arrests aimed at intimidating opposition activists, journalists and other civil society actors, and it found 64 new cases of torture after that date alone. Non-governmental organisations estimate that between 379 and 500 people remain in detention.
The FCDO's Venezuela advice was last updated on 2 September, when Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport, which serves Caracas, resumed commercial flights with limited capacity from 1 September. The FCDO advises against all travel to within 80km of the border with Colombia, within 40km of the borders with Brazil and Guyana, the Orinoco Mining Arc region of Bolívar, the area of Delta Amacuro south of the Orinoco river and all of Zulia state. It advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the country.
On arrival, the FCDO warns that some foreigners, including British nationals, have been questioned extensively on the reasons for their visit, which "can involve being held at the airport for hours or days and can result in deportation". It adds: "Some foreign nationals, including Europeans, have been detained and accused of terrorism in Venezuela."
For operators: the change of leadership has not changed the security apparatus, and no steps have been taken to disarm the colectivos. Prepare principals for a long arrival interview with a clear, consistent account of the purpose of the visit, keep supporting paperwork to hand, and do not assume consular help will reach someone who is held. Check the FCDO border and Zulia restrictions against every route, and treat Caracas flight options as limited.
