Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 2002)

The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV), and the joint observations of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions (CODESA) and the National Union of Workers of Venezuela (UNETE), received on 1 September 2025. It also notes the observations of the United Federation of Workers of Venezuela (CUTV), received on 2 September 2025. It further notes the observations of the Federation of Chambers and Enterprises of Venezuela (FEDEINDUSTRIA) and the joint observations of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations of Venezuela (FAPUV) and the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), transmitted by the Government with its report.

Article 3 of the Convention. Human rights. The Committee previously expressed its deep concern at the persistent situation of insecurity and violence affecting indigenous peoples, their leaders and defenders. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it guarantees, in all territories, the protection of human rights and the promotion of peaceful solutions to disputes, with the provision of constant support through the Ministry of the People’s Power for Indigenous Peoples. The Committee deeply regrets to note that the Government has not provided specific information on the murder and systematic persecution of members of indigenous peoples and their leaders, specific cases of arbitrary detention, Government action involving the use of force and increasing coercion against indigenous peoples in the state of Bolívar, among other violations noted by the Committee.

The Committee notes the serious nature of the observations provided by the FAPUV, CGT, CTV, UNETE, CODESA and CUTV denouncing:

• the murders of Virgilio Trujillo, founder of the Ayose Huyunami Indigenous Territorial Guardians of the Uwottüja indigenous people in Amazonia, and of Joaquín Hernández, environmental defender of the Ayukuweni organization of the Yekwana indigenous people of the Alto Ventuari, in 2022 and 2024, respectively, for which the perpetrators have not yet been punished;
• the death of four Yanomami indigenous persons, with various people being injured, following a confrontation with officers of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces in March 2022, in the municipality of Alto Orinoco in the indigenous state of Amazonas;
• in the state of Bolívar, indigenous peoples are continuing to be persecuted and displaced from their own lands as a result of illegal mining;
• the expansion into indigenous lands and the whole of the Amazonian forest of illegal mining, the creation of clandestine tracks and, more recently, drug trafficking;
• in the states of Delta Amacuro and Monagas, mobility is becoming more acute due to the fact that the Government has not ensured that all internally displaced persons have access to water, sanitation and acceptable sanitary facilities, or access to adequate food and housing;
• the absence of public protection policies for four indigenous peoples in which groups of the population are in a situation of initial contact or voluntary isolation which have not been recognized by the State (the Hoti (Jodi), Yanomami, Uwottüja and E’ñepa (Panare) peoples, who live in the south of Orinico, in the states of Bolívar and Amazonas).

The Committee further notes that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in his report of June 2025 on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, expressed concern at the delay in the investigations into killings and other violations against indigenous peoples (A/HRC/59/58).

The Committee recalls that, in order to ensure that indigenous peoples can assert and enjoy the rights set out in the Convention, Governments have to adopt adequate measures to ensure a climate free from violence, pressure, fear and threats of any type. The Committee deplores the situation of insecurity and violence affecting indigenous peoples, their leaders and defenders in the country. The Committee strongly urges the Government to take the necessary measures without delay to: (i) protect the life and safety of indigenous peoples, their representatives, leaders and defenders; (ii) investigate and punish those responsible for any acts of violence, intimidation and persecution; (iii) provide adequate protection for indigenous peoples that are in a situation of initial contact or voluntary isolation; and (iv) prevent and bring an end to conflicts arising out of illegal activities, including the expansion of mining. The Committee requests the Government to launch investigations without delay into the acts of violence denounced by the trade union confederations with a view to clarifying responsibilities and punishing those responsible, and particularly the murders of Virgilio Trujillo,founder of the Ayose Huyunami Indigenous Territorial Guardians of the Uwottüja indigenous people in Amazonia in 2022, and of Joaquín Hernández, environmental defender of the Ayukuweni organization of the Yekwana indigenous people of the Alto Ventuari in 2024, and the death of four indigenous Yanomami persons. As some of these cases go back to 2022, the Committee recalls that justice delayed is justice denied and results in a climate of impunity which is prejudicial to the full exercise of the rights of indigenous peoples.

In light of the gravity and increasing number of acts of violence affecting indigenous peoples, the Committee invites the Government to convene a round table meeting with the trade union confederations, representatives of the peoples concerned and the competent authorities, with ILO assistance, to determine the extent of the phenomenon and share the information that is necessary for the investigations.

Articles 3 and 25. Shortage of food and medicine. With reference to its previous comment, the Committee notes the emphasis placed by the Government on the significant impact of the 1,042 unilateral coercive measures imposed between 2014 and August 2025 on the Venezuelan population, and particularly indigenous peoples. The Government indicates that, despite the difficulties, it has been promoting, particularly through Bolivarian Missions, various programmes to combat poverty and promote access to free healthcare and education, access to decent housing, among other measures. Moreover, within the framework of the Love in Action Plan for Victims of the Economic Blockade, comprehensive support days are being organized in various communities with a view to mitigating the negative effects of the unilateral coercive measures, with the provision of services such as medical consultations, the provision of medicines, food and vaccinations. In 2024, a total of 66,589 indigenous persons benefited from these services during 125 days carried out in the states of Amazonas, Anzoátegui, Apure, Bolívar, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, the Capital District, Monagas, Miranda, Sucre and Zulia. Some 4,275 indigenous persons in remote areas in 119 communities in Foco Sur in the state of Amazonas benefited from screening and care for malaria and onchocerciasis (river blindness), a total of 1,068 special socio-economic and emergency aid packages were distributed, as well as funeral expenses, ophthalmology, dentistry, medicines and medical expenses, and food modules were delivered directly to 421,162 indigenous persons.

The Committee notes the allegations by the FAPUV, CGT, CTV, UNETE and CUTV that indigenous peoples suffer more acutely from the effects of malnutrition and extreme poverty, exposure to disease and environmental degradation due to the extraction activities carried out in their lands and abandonment by the State. They also allege that the problems of infrastructure, lack of personnel, inputs and medication noted by the Committee in its previous comments have not been resolved. They add that there is in increase in sexually transmitted diseases, presumably as a result of the presence of illegal mining groups.

The Committee also notes that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, in his 2025 report on his official visit to Venezuela, indicated that unilateral coercive measures in the form of economic sanctions have constrained the Government’s ability to implement its social protection programmes and deliver basic public services, which has disproportionately affected persons living in extreme poverty or vulnerable circumstances, exacerbating pre-existing conditions. However, he emphasized the lack of activities targeting the food security of indigenous peoples, as well as the need to promote activities aimed at strengthening local livelihoods. In particular, he indicated that: (1) indigenous peoples continue to lack resources and access to adequate food; (2) the general lack of access to food and adequate income has provoked significant migration of indigenous persons to urban and mining areas and abroad, contributing to the progressive and long-term loss of their institutions and forms of self-organization; (3) development policies, land disputes and mining have resulted in a loss of land and natural resources on which indigenous communities depend for food and their livelihoods; and (4) despite humanitarian interventions to address malnutrition in indigenous communities in Bolívar, Amazonas and Delta Amacuro states, a comprehensive and sustainable approach, taking into account the underlying factors contributing to malnutrition in these communities, is still lacking (A/HRC/58/48/Add.1).

The Committee also notes that, in his 2025 report, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights indicates that the health challenges of indigenous peoples have persisted, despite the efforts made, and refers to: (1) greater exposure to malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS; (2) the lack of medicines and medical supplies, and the absence of routes and transport; (3) the maternal morbidity and deaths in indigenous Ye’kwana and Sanemá lands, where there are only three doctors for a population of 7,488, and the 20 community health centres in the territory lack medicines, basic materials and equipment, including diagnostics; and (4) the difficult access to emergency services (A/HRC/59/58).

While noting the efforts made, the Committee once again urges the Government to examine and address, with the participation of indigenous peoples, the situation of the shortage of food and medicine in indigenous communities and to continue providing information on the measures adopted and their impact. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which humanitarian interventions are coordinated with the Specific Agendas for Indigenous Action (ACAIs) of the communities concerned and refers in this respect to its comments on the application of Articles 2 and 7 of the Convention.

Article 14. Land demarcation and titling. In response to its previous comments on the lack of progress in the land demarcation and titling processes, the Government indicates that each people establishes the time scale for its “self-demarcation”, in accordance with its actual situation and cosmovision, and the Government subsequently deals with each case in the order that it is received. The Committee also notes that the FAPUV, the CGT, the CTV, UNETE, CODESA and the CUTV emphasize that demarcation has been paralysed since 2016. The Committee further notes that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to note the lack of progress in the demarcation process of the lands of indigenous peoples despite the applications made and that the lack of demarcation of these territories has contributed to exposure to illegal mining activities, as well as the presence of non-State armed groups and criminal organizations, leading to allegations of the forced displacement of indigenous communities and clashes between indigenous peoples and persons settling around the mines, environmental degradation and water contamination (A/HRC/59/58).

The Committee recalls that the recognition and effective protection of the rights of indigenous peoples to the lands that they traditionally occupy or use for their subsistence and traditional activities are of crucial importance in safeguarding the integrity of these peoples and consequently for the respect of the other rights set out in the Convention. The Committee therefore urges the Government without delay to: (i) take measures to resolve the land claims put forward by indigenous peoples and make progress with the demarcation and titling of their lands, with the participation of the peoples and communities concerned; and (ii) ensure the effective protection of the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands, including measures to prevent any intrusion or unauthorized use of these lands.

Article 15. Natural resources. Arco Minero del Orinoco. The Committee recalls that it deplored the information on the situation of the indigenous peoples affected by mining activities in the Arco Minero del Orinoco. The Committee notes that the Government reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights of the indigenous peoples in the region and its duty to prevent and punish illegal activities. The Government indicates that it is taking measures to assess the social, cultural, spiritual and environmental impact of mining, in cooperation with indigenous peoples and communities, and that comprehensive compensation, participation in the benefits and the special protection of women and children are being promoted.

The Committee notes that the FAPUV, the CGT, the CTV, UNETE, CODESA and the CUTV refer to a rise in the negative impacts of extraction projects, and emphasize in particular: a spiral of systematic violence in the area; prostitution and alcoholism in local communities in general, and indigenous communities in particular; the territorial and socio-cultural fragmentation of the communities; the reappearance of diseases that had been eradicated; and the loss of legitimacy of their ancestral and traditional authorities. They add that the Arco Minero del Orinoco continues to be the centre of the main threats to the rights of indigenous peoples in the south of Orinoco. Its expansion through illegal mining under the impetus of criminal groups with high levels of organization and military capacity, and links to large-scale smuggling and drug trafficking networks, is threatening the forms of living of indigenous communities. They also indicate that the Government, instead of dealing with the complaints and demands in relation to this serious situation made by defenders and guardians of the Amazon, ecological and academic organizations, has reacted by criminalizing the investigation and citizens’ action in this respect.

While noting the Government’s indications, the Committee expresses deep concern at the alleged serious situation of human rights in the Arco Minero del Orinoco and regrets the lack of specific information provided in reply to its previous comments. The Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures, in consultation with the indigenous peoples concerned, to: (i) guarantee the rights of the indigenous peoples concerned to the natural resources pertaining to their lands; (ii) prevent and punish any intrusion or unauthorized use of their lands; (iii) protect and conserve the environment in the lands that they inhabit; (iv) prevent any forced displacement; and (v) respond to the situation of particular vulnerability of children and women in the context of unlawful mining activities and forced displacements, and prevent and identify practices of labour or sexual exploitation of which they may be the victims through the provision of adequate protection. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any measures adopted in this regard.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

[ The Government is asked to reply in full to the present comments in 2026. ]