Communist Party of Venezuela demands accountability for repression of workers and protesters

In a statement published on 20 October by the party’s newspaper, Tribuna Popular, Political Bureau member Neirlay Andrade called for investigations into the conduct of courts that, over the past decade, prosecuted workers, trade unionists, students and other citizens on terrorism charges. The statement followed a decision by Venezuela’s Supreme Court to remove terrorism-related jurisdiction from four courts in Caracas.

Andrade argued that the judicial change should not be treated as resolving the consequences of past repression. She described a pattern in which workers were detained following protests, sometimes subjected to temporary enforced disappearances, and subsequently brought before anti-terrorism courts on what the party considered disproportionate charges. The PCV cited cases involving oil-sector workers and trade unionists at the Sidor steelworks, as well as electricity-sector employees and people detained after the 2024 presidential election.

The party also reiterated its demand for the annulment of the Law Against Hatred, which it says has been used against political dissent and labour activism. It criticised the lack of transparency surrounding proposed amendments to the law and called for judicial proceedings based on it to be halted and affected individuals to receive redress.

Labour rights were another central concern. Andrade warned that discussions on labour reform could institutionalise restrictions already affecting wages, severance benefits, holidays and pensions. The PCV called on workers to organise in defence of their rights.

The statement also challenged the lack of publicly accessible detail on the proposed 2027 national budget, arguing that transparency is necessary for democratic oversight of public spending.

Beyond domestic issues, the party commented on social protests in Europe and expressed solidarity with Cuba amid US pressure on the island.