Veppex warns Maduro's exit does not end Venezuelan political persecution

The Organization of Politically Persecuted Venezuelans in Exile (Veppex) has warned that the departure of Nicolás Maduro from power does not automatically signal an end to political persecution in Venezuela. The organization stated that the repressive apparatus, including intelligence agencies and military commands, remains active and capable of causing harm.

Veppex addressed a recent decision by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), which suggested that a change in Venezuelan leadership constitutes a change in country conditions that must be considered in asylum evaluations. The organization urged U.S. immigration authorities to evaluate cases individually, arguing that asylum should not be revoked simply because Maduro is no longer in office if the officials who ordered the persecution remain in power.

Additionally, Veppex, in collaboration with Amavex, highlighted that the Venezuelan community in the United States faces multiple overlapping instabilities. These include the loss of temporary protections, work authorization interruptions, risks of detention by ICE, and administrative changes under the Trump administration that have created a more unstable environment for migrants.