UN Venezuela Fact-Finding Mission faces Uncertainty as Two Members Resign
The UNS International Mission Autonomous of Determination of Facts on Venezuela is facing questions about its future following the resignations of two of its three members. francisco Cox Vial and Patricia Tappatá Valdez announced their departures, citing professional obligations and concerns over operational limitations, respectively. Their last day will be October 31st, leaving Portuguese jurist Marta Valiñas as the sole remaining member of the group.
Francisco Cox Vial, a Chilean lawyer who has served on the mission since its establishment in 2019, communicated his decision in a letter to Ambassador Jürg Lauber on September 23rd. He expressed gratitude for the support received from the Human Rights Council throughout his tenure, acknowledging the challenging conditions under which the mission operated. Cox stated his resignation stemmed from other professional commitments and a belief that fresh perspectives could further contribute to fulfilling the mission’s mandate. He also praised the dedication of his colleagues, Marta Valiñas and Patricia Tappatá Valdez, and the cooperation of Venezuelan victims and organizations.
Patricia Tappatá Valdez, an Argentinian human rights defender who joined the mission in 2021, explained her resignation through a public statement.She voiced concern regarding “recently announced limitations” that she believes will further jeopardize the team’s work. Tappatá Valdez emphasized that the mission’s mandate requires “specialized knowledge and exclusive dedication,” conditions she argues are now compromised by budget cuts and increasing operational restrictions.
Since 2014, Cox Vial and Tappatá Valdez have been instrumental in investigating and documenting alleged human rights violations in Venezuela, including extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, and reports of torture, possibly constituting crimes against humanity. Despite obstacles such as limited witness availability and a lack of cooperation from the venezuelan government, their reports have been crucial in attributing responsibility to senior officials within the Nicolás Maduro administration and maintaining international focus on the ongoing crisis.
The departure of two key members raises significant doubts about the mission’s ability to continue its work effectively, particularly amidst escalating political tensions in Venezuela.