[{"bbox": [157, 150, 1074, 313], "category": "Text", "text": "In January 2022, Venezuela underwent its examination in the framework of the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review. Recommendations from the majority of the countries which took the floor asked Venezuela to cease criminalisation, harassment, threats and intimidation against political opponents, dissidents, HRDs, and journalists, to restore the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the rule of law, and to strengthen the cooperation with international bodies and mechanisms, including the OHCHR and the Fact Finding Mission."}, {"bbox": [157, 323, 1074, 432], "category": "Text", "text": "The announcement late 2021 of the opening of an investigation by the International Criminal Court into alleged crimes against humanity under Maduro's rule as well as the suspension of the opposition-regime dialogue in Mexico following a Chavista frontman's extradition to the US are two other important events that will influence the path Venezuela is walking."}, {"bbox": [157, 441, 1074, 815], "category": "Text", "text": "In more general terms, the Venezuelan State has progressively lost its capacity to control the territory, giving rise to an increased presence of armed groups spread out over large parts of the countries and in particular the border areas and the Orinoco mining belt. In terms of **economic performance, the downward spiral** which Venezuela has entered since 2014, continued and is reflected in extreme hyperinflation, pulverising domestic purchasing power and pushing over three quarters of its population into extreme poverty. Oil production has reached a historic low in over 70 years and state revenue depends largely on international oil prices (reaching a peak in March 2022 due to the Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine). Although the economic crisis finds its roots in years of mismanagement and corruption, international restrictive measures applied to entire sectors have contributed to the further decline of industry and economic life. Various pragmatic responses of Maduro government (opening for imports and tax exemptions, *de facto* dollarization), are rapidly increasing economic and social inequalities, although they contribute to a misleading perception of mild economic recovery. It is true nonetheless that the political and economic spheres are evolving at a very different pace, with a transition happening in the latter but not in the former."}, {"bbox": [157, 825, 1074, 1093], "category": "Text", "text": "Above mentioned factors, and despite the recent (February 2022) announcement to increase the minimum monthly wage from about USD 2 to USD 29, the lack of good social practices, political and legal instability, inefficient management of resources and the defective administration of the State leads to **extreme poverty** which is **multidimensional** and directly related to indicators such as access to basic services, energy, health, education, standard of living, employment and housing. The lack of professional growth, the derisory payment for the activity performed, the usurpation of functions by the State to the organs of power and autonomous institutes of the country, the denied access to basic elementary services and precarious food, the deterioration of the primary, secondary and university education system, have been the repeated reasons expressed by the Venezuelan migrant population."}, {"bbox": [157, 1103, 1074, 1396], "category": "Text", "text": "As a direct consequence, the lack of access to economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights in recent years has been a root cause of **migration** out of the country. Since 2014, over 6 million⁶ Venezuelans are estimated to have left the country. An increasing number of Venezuelans has been crossing into neighbouring countries through irregular routes since the easing of quarantine measures in the region, being exposed to lack of access to food, water, sexual, and reproductive health services, as well as violence (including sexual and gender violence), sexual and labour exploitation and abuse, and human trafficking, particularly for women and children. Since March 2020, thousands of Venezuelan migrants and refugees have lost their income and been evicted, leaving them homeless with limited financial resources due to the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures. Increased discrimination and xenophobic attitudes further limit their access to basic services. This has led thousands of Venezuelans to temporarily return to their country."}, {"bbox": [157, 1406, 1074, 1541], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU has publicly expressed its concern about the political, economic and social situation in Venezuela and the deteriorating quality of life of Venezuelans and the weakening democracy in the country. In line, the 2021 EU EOM provided an impartial and independent assessment of the electoral process in Venezuela, which fits in the overall EU contribution to support efforts towards a peaceful and Venezuelan-led negotiated solution to the political and institutional crisis including credible,"}, {"bbox": [147, 1588, 982, 1615], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ According to the Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela"}, {"bbox": [976, 1690, 1082, 1714], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 26"}]