Venezuela: Transparency International Forced into Exile Amid Growing Repression of Civil Society

Transparency International has announced that starting today our Venezuela chapter will be operating in exile. The growing threat to members of Transparencia Venezuela, our chapter in the country, has made the situation too dangerous to remain there. This difficult decision has been made following an escalating pattern of violence and intimidation.

At the time of the 2024 elections, citizens and civil society organisations reported widespread violence, threats, abuse of state resources, and disinformation campaigns during Venezuela's pre-campaign and campaign period, severely undermining voting rights. In August 2024, Venezuela's National Assembly passed a bill to increase government control over NGOs, amid growing concerns over repression of opposition groups and civil society.

Since the election, Venezuela has been experiencing ongoing repression and arbitrary and enforced disappearances of activists, journalists and defenders of fundamental freedoms. The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, stated that a climate of fear and social tension was preventing civil society from conducting their vital work in the country.

The departure of Transparency International from Venezuela occurs as the country is experiencing some of the worst levels of public corruption in the world, placing 178 out of 180 countries listed on the latest Corruption Perceptions Index, released last month. It is why Transparencia Venezuela will continue its work in exile, demanding accountability to the government and continuing the fight against corruption, repression and attacks on fundamental freedoms in Venezuela.

Mercedes de Freitas, Executive Director of Transparencia Venezuela, said:

“The values and projects of Transparencia Venezuela, dedicated to good governance, accountability, access to information, and the fight against corruption, are incompatible with the new Venezuelan laws that criminalise the work of independent civil society organisations. We will continue to operate in exile to defend our resources. And we will continue to be the voice for the Venezuelans against grand corruption and exposing the criminal networks that keep Venezuela as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.”

François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, said:

"Transparencia Venezuela was forced into exile by a dictatorial movement which does not accept that the extent of their plundering should be exposed year after year and report after report. Transparencia Venezuela’s fight is our global Movement’s fight."

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