Religious persecution continues in Venezuela despite Maduro’s capture, CSW reports
By Diana Chandler - Posted at Baptist Press:
Published March 9, 2026
CARACAS, Venezuela (BP) – Religious persecution and human rights violations continue in Venezuela under a firmly entrenched authoritarian regime, CSW reported March 9 as captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores await trial in the U.S.The Maduro regime under the Socialist Union of Venezuela Party has persecuted Christians there for more than a decade, religious freedom defenders have said.
“With or without Maduro at the helm, the Socialist Union of Venezuela Party remains responsible for widespread human rights violations, including the persecution of religious leaders, the consistent repression of independent civil society, and even the massacre and forced displacement of indigenous groups,” Anna Strang, CSW director of advocacy and Americas team leader, said in releasing the new report. said in releasing the report. “The international community must ensure that any discussions of Venezuela’s uncertain future set benchmarks for the measurable improvements in the protection of freedom of religion or belief, as well as for religious and humanitarian actors, and indigenous peoples and their spiritual rights.”
The Maduros have a March 17 court date on U.S. charges of federal drug trafficking and weapons offenses, and have pleaded not guilty.
CSW’s 16-page report, “Self-Censorship and Social Control: The Situation of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Venezuela,” echoes November 2025 findings from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Venezuela forms with Cuba and Nicaragua an authoritarian triad of religious persecution in Latin America, USCIRF found, and CSW said Venezuela’s model of persecution mimics that of Cuba.
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