Prioritise rebuilding democracy in Venezuela to fight entrenched corruption
As the world reacts to the United States’ shocking military intervention in Venezuela, Transparency International is calling for restoring democracy to be prioritised, to protect the rights of Venezuelans and address the country’s entrenched corruption crisis.
The anti-corruption NGO is concerned that the US administration appears to be seeking control of Venezuela’s oil and giving US companies privileged access to extract this. No country should abuse its military power to intimidate another country and gain exclusive economic advantages.
Years of democratic checks and balances being eliminated have left Venezuela one of the world’s most corrupt countries, ranking 178 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s latest Corruptions Perceptions Index.
Transparency International’s Venezuelan chapter, which has been working in exile since March following escalating state repression of civil society, is calling for Edmundo González to be recognised as President following the outcome of the July 2024 elections. It is calling for the international community to play a role in facilitating a smooth transition process to restore democratic institutions and accountable leadership.
Mercedes de Freitas, Executive Director of Transparency International Venezuela, said:
“Years of widespread corruption and illicit activities in Venezuela have seen poverty and malnutrition soar as millions of families survive on limited food, water and electricity, while facing extortion by armed gangs and state officials. To change this reality, we now need an honest and transparent state that is truly accountable to Venezuelans - which respects human rights, guarantees an independent justice system and protects public resources for the benefit of all. The will of the Venezuelan people to live in a free democracy must be respected.”
Transparency International Venezuela is also calling for the immediate release of political prisoners and warning of continuing repression by the Maduro-allied government that remains in power.
François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, said:
“International laws are there to protect all of us – all governments must respect the rule of law and fundamental rights. The priority now must be restoring a healthy democracy in Venezuela, to ensure its people can shape its future. Any decisions about Venezuela’s oil and natural resources must be made transparently by legitimate Venezuelan leaders acting in the interests of the Venezuelan population, not by the United States.”
Notes to editors
- Transparency International’s chapter in Venezuela was forced into exile in March 2025 amid growing repression of civil society.
- Transparency International’s annual Corruptions Perceptions Index measures perceived levels of public sector corruption in countries around the world. The latest edition was published in February 2025.
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