Self-Censorship and Social Control: The Situation of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Venezuela

On 3 January 2026 the United States forcibly removed Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela in what many hoped would signify an end to the second of successive authoritarian regimes, under the leadership of Hugo Chávez and then Maduro. Despite the removal of Maduro, however, leaders in the Socialist Union of Venezuela Party (PSUV) remain entrenched in power in Venezuela.

Rule of law and the right to a fair trial do not exist. This, alongside increased fear and reluctance to report crimes to local justice mechanisms, has established a culture of impunity.

In a context of flagrant corruption, a failing economy and a dire humanitarian situation, the government continues to repress dissent through a steady stream of attacks on independent civil society. Human rights defenders, pro-democracy groups and members of the political opposition, including religious leaders, are routinely targeted for harassment, violence, arbitrary detention, and in some cases enforced disappearance.

The United Nations (UN) Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (FFMV), set up in 2019 and tasked with reporting human rights violations, has found that crimes committed by Venezuela’s military and civil state intelligence agencies are part of a coordinated and effective plan to silence government opposition through crimes against humanity.

In order to downplay political and religious criticism, the government has attempted to portray itself as upholding the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) by establishing a number of religious benefit programs and sponsoring religious ceremonies. While some religious groups have accepted preferential treatment in exchange for their loyalty, others which have denounced the dictatorship and refused these incentives have faced discrimination and in some cases have been accused of ‘incitement to hatred’ or ‘threats to public order’.

All religious leaders, even those who benefit from government programs and other forms of preferential treatment, are under constant surveillance.Government informants in congregations are common. Religious groups, like other independent civil society organisations, operate under a constant threat of possible violence, arbitrary detention, or the loss of specific rights.

Religious leaders who are perceived by the government to have said the ‘wrong’ thing are treated as traitors, and in some cases have been attacked by illegal armed groups supported by the regime. As a result, many religious leaders practice a form of self-censorship in public activities such as prayers and sermons, but also in private or informal meetings, out of concern that a government informant might be listening.

Notes to Editors:

1. Click here to download the report as a PDF.
2. Click here to download the report in Spanish.