Venezuela's government has asked staff at the United Nations human rights body to leave the country within three days, saying it will conduct a review of its cooperation with the organization.
The government of the South American country stated that it had taken the decision to “suspend the activities of the technical advisory services of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and carry out a holistic review of the terms of technical cooperation”.
The review will take place over the next 30 days, the government said in a statement, adding that all UN staff attached to the office must leave the country within the next 72 hours.
The commissioner's office in Caracas directed Reuters' inquiries to authorities in Geneva or New York.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said during a daily briefing that he had just been informed of Venezuela's decision and would need to contact the press.
State television harshly criticized on Wednesday (15) the comments of the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, who has just concluded a visit to Venezuela.
Fakhri said in a statement that the government's food program does not address the root causes of hunger and is susceptible to political influence.
The UN human rights office, which has operated in Venezuela since 2019, must rectify its “colonialist, abusive and violating attitude,” the government statement added.
The cabinet played an “inappropriate role” in the country and supported impunity for people involved in assassination attempts, coups d’état, conspiracies and other plots, he said.
The Venezuelan government regularly accuses members of the political opposition of plotting takeovers or the assassination of President Nicolás Maduro, all accusations vehemently denied by opposition parties and their members.
The United States, the UN and others have condemned the arrest and prosecution this week of defense expert Rocio San Miguel. Some members of her family were also detained, although four were released.
Other UN bodies, including the World Food Program and children's agency UNICEF, also operate in Venezuela.
Source: CNN Brasil
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