"Chavismo promotes law to silence NGOs and limit rights in Venezuela."

The National Assembly of Venezuela, under the control of Chavismo, has launched a new attack against non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in an attempt to silence critical voices and neutralize the opposition. The "Law for the Oversight, Regularization, Operation, and Financing of Non-Governmental Organizations and Related Entities" is the latest attempt by Nicolás Maduro's regime to limit the operational capacity of these entities, which have historically been a bastion in the defense of human rights and the promotion of democracy in the country. The announcement of the second discussion of this law, made on Monday by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Parliament, coincides with a context of increasing repression following the elections on July 28, where irregularities and fraud in favor of Maduro have been reported. Since July 29, thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to protest, facing violent responses from the regime, which has allowed armed groups known as collectives to repress those demonstrating, resulting in at least 25 deaths and over 1,393 arrests, according to the NGO Foro Penal. Chavismo's rhetoric has paid special attention to NGOs, accusing them of serving as "fronts for the financing of terrorist actions." In this context, Rodríguez, accompanied by Maduro, emphasized that there are organizations that do indeed help the population, referring to the Red Cross, but also others that they consider harmful to the country. This approach seeks to delegitimize the work of NGOs, many of which are involved in the defense of human rights, social assistance, and monitoring the political situation. Voices of concern have emerged even from the international community. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has urged the Venezuelan government to abandon this legislative initiative, warning about the serious implications it would have for respect for human rights and the future of democracy in the country. Gina Romero, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, also expressed her concern, highlighting the use of a stigmatizing discourse that associates NGOs with terrorism. The bill is not new; in fact, its first discussion took place in January 2023, promoted by Diosdado Cabello, a key figure in Chavismo. On that occasion, Cabello labeled NGOs as "appendages of imperialism," accusing them of attempting to destabilize the country. This rhetorical framework highlights the government's perception of the work of these organizations as a threat to its control and legitimacy. Darrin Gibbs, a lawyer and member of the NGO Defiende Venezuela, has analyzed the legal implications of this law, arguing that its goal is to establish an administrative regime that limits and punishes NGOs rather than fostering their operability. The proposed regime includes rigorous administrative requirements that, if implemented, would severely restrict these organizations' ability to operate in Venezuela, as well as jeopardize their existence in the face of intensified state control. Carlos Correa, director of the NGO Espacio Público, warned that the law will not only force organizations to re-register but will also increase bureaucracy and arbitrariness in their operations. With a list of requirements that must be met, any NGO could be subject to severe sanctions if it does not align with the government's dictates, endangering the fundamental right to free association. Correa's analysis of Chavismo's motivations centers on the critical role that NGOs play in the defense of human rights. Organizations dedicated to monitoring abuses and highlighting the situation of the population are uncomfortable for a government seeking to maintain an image of control and stability. Accusations that some NGOs finance terrorism lack concrete evidence and seem more like a rhetorical device to justify repression. Organizations like Provea have criticized the bill, considering it a direct threat to democratic principles and human rights in Venezuela. The Foro por la Vida issued a statement denouncing that these types of attacks against NGOs are not incidental but part of a systematic state policy aimed at delegitimizing and silencing those who defend the fundamental rights of the population. In summary, the new legislation seeking to regulate NGOs in Venezuela is a strategic move by Chavismo to consolidate its power and eliminate dissenting voices. The international community, as well as human rights defenders in the country, face a crucial challenge: to halt this authoritarian advance that seeks to stifle any form of criticism or resistance in an already complex and dangerous context for Venezuelan civil society.