No Stupid Questions

Quick googling returned all of this. Again, it's similar to Sadam, W started an illegal war and should have been tried for war crimes, that does NOT mean I'm not happy Saddam is dead.

Two things can be true at the same time, and pretty much any oil rich country inevitably ends up enriching a few and oppressing its populace. There's been books written on the subject, sadly Venezuela is no different. I'm fairly certain the average Venezuela citizen gives no shits about Maduro if anything they are afraid things will get even worse since Trump is even a bigger piece of shit than him.

Crimes against humanity allegationsInternational bodies and human rights organizations describe a pattern of state policy involving widespread attacks on civilians, which can constitute crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute.���� Key alleged acts include:Systematic persecution of political opponents and perceived critics, including arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearance.����Extrajudicial killings by security forces and pro‑government armed groups (“colectivos”) during protests and security operations.�����The UN Independent International Fact‑Finding Mission on Venezuela and the ICC Prosecutor both state there is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity (e.g., murder, imprisonment, torture, persecution, sexual violence) have been committed by state agents or groups acting with state authorization or support.�����Specific illegal acts reportedReports by NGOs, the UN, and foreign governments describe concrete categories of unlawful conduct attributed to Maduro‑aligned forces and institutions:�����Arbitrary or unlawful killings of protesters and bystanders during post‑election crackdowns and security operations.�����Mass arbitrary detentions, including of minors, often without warrants or due process, on vague “terrorism” or “national security” charges.����Enforced disappearances, where detainees’ whereabouts are concealed for days or longer from families and lawyers.����Torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of detainees (beatings, asphyxiation, sexual violence, food and water deprivation).�����Politically motivated prosecutions in courts lacking independence, with prolonged pre‑trial detention and denial of fair trial guarantees.�����These acts violate Venezuela’s own constitution and criminal code, as well as international human rights treaties to which Venezuela is a party (e.g., ICCPR, Convention against Torture).����Electoral and political repressionInternational and regional organizations have described the electoral environment and repression of opposition as unlawful or unconstitutional in various respects.���� Reported acts include:Disqualification, arrest, or intimidation of opposition candidates and activists to prevent effective participation in elections.���Violent repression of post‑election protests, including lethal force against demonstrators and collective punishment in low‑income areas.�����Severe restrictions on freedom of expression and the press, including harassment, prosecution, and closure or seizure of independent media outlets.����Regional human rights bodies (like the Inter‑American Commission on Human Rights) characterize these practices as violations of the American Convention on Human Rights and other binding norms.��ICC investigation and international proceedingsThe International Criminal Court has opened a formal investigation (often called “Venezuela I”) into alleged crimes against humanity committed in Venezuela, focusing on repression of political opponents since at least 2014.��� Points to note:Multiple states referred Venezuela to the ICC in 2018; the Prosecutor concluded there is a reasonable basis to believe crimes against humanity occurred.���The ICC’s Pre‑Trial Chamber has authorized the continuation of the investigation, finding that domestic proceedings in Venezuela are insufficient.���Analysts now consider sealed arrest warrants against high‑level officials, potentially including Maduro, a real possibility, though any such warrants would not initially be public.���Separately, courts in other countries have pursued cases under universal jurisdiction principles, including an Argentine judge issuing warrants to secure testimony from Maduro and others regarding alleged crimes against humanity.�Narcotics trafficking conspiracy chargesIn addition to human‑rights‑related allegations, US prosecutors have charged Maduro and close associates with participating in a transnational cocaine‑trafficking conspiracy.� According to public indictments:Maduro, family members, and senior officials are accused of working with designated terrorist cartels to move large quantities of cocaine toward the United States.�The charges claim they used state power and public office to protect and facilitate trafficking, corrupting Venezuelan institutions for these purposes.�These are criminal indictments in US courts; Maduro denies the accusations and characterizes them as politically motivated, and the cases have not yet resulted in a US conviction of Maduro personally as of early 2026.���