UN humanitarian envoy begins three-day visit to Venezuela on Sunday

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, is scheduled to arrive this Sunday in Venezuela on a three-day visit in which he will meet with authorities and “other actors”.

“During his mission, Griffiths will meet with government officials and other actors, including humanitarian partners,” the UN said in a statement. Griffiths will be in the Caribbean country until August 2.

“Griffiths seeks to support ongoing initiatives to meet humanitarian and social needs and strengthen basic services. He will visit a health project and address formulas to mobilize resources and improve the response,” the UN added.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has two preliminary investigations open on abuses allegedly committed by Chavista forces since April 2017 and, in general terms, on the repression of protests called against the government of Nicolás Maduro.

In addition, since February 2020, the ICC has been analyzing a complaint filed by the Maduro government to determine whether U.S. sanctions amount to crimes against humanity.