Human Rights Groups, Opposition Politicians Appalled as Venezuela Joins UN Human Rights Council

Venezuelan regime leader Nicolas Maduro speaks during a rally at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela on March 9, 2019. Yuri CortezY/AFP/Getty Images

BOGOTA, Colombia—International human rights watchdogs and members of Venezuela’s political opposition are expressing indignation that Venezuela, widely denounced for committing grave human rights abuses, won a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council last week.

Venezuela took one of two Latin American seats in the 47-member council, alongside Brazil, on Oct. 17.