On January 23, opposition leader María Corina Machado responded to the detentions of her campaign chiefs Luis Camacaro and Juan Freites, calling on the international community to enforce the Barbados Agreement and end the persecution of political opponents by the Venezuelan regime. The United States Department of State expressed deep concern over the actions against the opposition and civil society in Venezuela. María Corina Machado held a rally in Altamira, avoiding conflict with a simultaneous pro-government mobilization, and reiterated her commitment to defeating the regime through free, clean, and constitutional elections in 2024. Various political figures and trade unions supported Machado, who is seen as a symbol of change and hope for many Venezuelans.

Venezuela faces political uncertainty as it approaches the 2024 presidential elections. The constitution mandates elections every six years, but the exact date is unclear. President Nicolás Maduro, representing the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), may run for a third term. The opposition is fragmented but has agreed on primary elections, with María Corina Machado emerging as a strong candidate, although she currently faces disqualification. The National Electoral Council (CNE) is expected to organize the elections, and there is international and internal pressure for fair elections. Analysts predict Maduro will be the PSUV candidate, and if elections are free and transparent, Machado could win. However, there are concerns about electoral conditions and the possibility of manipulation, similar to the situation in Nicaragua under Daniel Ortega.

Compliance is essential for companies operating in Venezuela due to high risks associated with corruption and legal issues. Samuel Acuña, president of the Sociedad Venezolana de Compliance, emphasizes the importance of risk management and compliance to avoid sanctions and maintain good standing. The article discusses the impact of U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan entities like Pdvsa and the broader implications for businesses and individuals. Transparency International's corruption perception index ranks Venezuela poorly, highlighting the need for stringent compliance measures. The role of compliance in mitigating risks and ensuring legal and financial integrity is underscored.

Nicolás Fermín, a 23-year-old pilot, was fatally shot by alleged members of the Policía Nacional Bolivariana (PNB) while working as a taxi driver in Caracas. His father, José Fermín, who was in the U.S. at the time, returned to Venezuela to identify his son's body. The incident has raised questions about police conduct and the misuse of firearms, with experts criticizing the lack of proper training and supervision within the police force. The article highlights the broader issues of police misconduct and the state's failure to effectively manage crime prevention and control.

Venezuela is depicted as a theater of the absurd, with pervasive corruption and incompetence among both the government and opposition. The article criticizes the Venezuelan government's cynical use of power and the opposition's ineffectiveness. It highlights the legacy of Hugo Chávez and the ongoing issues of corruption, drawing parallels to historical and literary references. Experts like Héctor Manrique and Gloria Cuenca provide critical analysis, emphasizing the deep-rooted ethical and moral conflicts within the political landscape.

On February 18, 2013, Hugo Chávez returned to Venezuela after 72 days in Cuba for cancer treatment. Fernando Tineo, working for Globovisión, attempted to verify Chávez's presence at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital in Caracas amid rumors of his death. Tineo's investigative efforts led him to the hospital, where he faced significant security measures and was eventually detained and interrogated by Casa Militar personnel. Despite the tension, Tineo was released without any evidence of his investigation being discovered.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) has been restructured to 20 magistrates from 32, with the majority having strong ties to the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and the Chavismo leadership. Twelve magistrates are repeating their roles, despite legal provisions suggesting they should not. Diosdado Cabello, considered the second in command of the Bolivarian Revolution, has placed two Army generals in the TSJ. Critics, including human rights activists and political opponents, denounce the selection process as opaque and biased. The appointments include Gladys Gutiérrez, who has demonstrated partiality in past rulings, and other magistrates with political affiliations to the PSUV. The restructuring is seen as a consolidation of power that undermines judicial independence and democracy in Venezuela.

The article discusses how Venezuelan government officials, particularly Minister of Communication Ernesto Villegas, constructed a false narrative regarding the death of Juan Pernalete, a student from the Metropolitan University. Villegas suggested that Pernalete's death was caused by a captive bolt pistol, which was later contradicted by the death certificate stating the cause as cardiogenic shock due to chest trauma. The government's version was further undermined by medical specialists' opinions and the lack of evidence of tear gas at the scene. President Nicolás Maduro even claimed the opposition was responsible for the death. The article implies that the government's statements were part of a misinformation campaign.

Matthew John Heath, a former U.S. Marine, has been detained in Venezuela since September 2020, accused of terrorism and arms trafficking by the Chavista justice system. During a court hearing in Caracas on February 7, 2022, Heath denounced the torture he has endured in custody, including electric shocks and waterboarding. The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission has documented similar torture practices in Venezuelan political detentions. Heath's defense attorney, Guillermo Heredia, requested an investigation into the torture allegations, which was supported by the prosecutors and ordered by the judge.

Rosmary Giménez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan from Acarigua, Portuguesa state, sought better opportunities abroad and ended up in a semi-slave working condition in Egypt. She was lured by the prospect of a beneficial life as a nanny for a wealthy family through AupairWorld.com. Instead, she found herself in a situation of exploitation, performing tasks beyond her contract, without proper compensation, and with restricted freedom. With the help of friends, the Venezuelan embassy, and Interpol, she managed to escape and eventually flew to Panama, where she recounted her harrowing experience.