In 2023, three key trends defined the prospects for development and the rule of law in Venezuela. First, the economic growth that started in 2022 continued, signaling a turning point after a decade-long multifaceted crisis that had shrunk the economy by 70 percent and forced over seven million Venezuelans to leave the country. Second, a political dialogue was established between the government and the opposition, and a new agreement was signed in Barbados in October 2023, followed by new sanctions relief measures by the United States. As for foreign policy, tensions increased between Venezuela and neighboring Guyana. The improvement in the socioeconomic and political context had an effect on the security situation. According to the statements of the National Observatory for Security, the rate of violent deaths in 2023 decreased compared to the previous year.
UNDP’s rule of law work in Venezuela focused on the capacitation strategy to improve citizen security, facilitate information management on violence and crime, better assist violence survivors, in particular, women and girls. In 2023, UNDP continued or completed its initiatives that began a year before with the support from the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme).
SIETPOL, a unified information platform to monitor and oversee police operations in Venezuela was designed. Through this system, police entities have to register their performance indicators, allowing for the assessment of their compliance with the Venezuelan police model. This data will inform the policies and recommendations of the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace for police reform and action at the national and municipal levels. The operationalization of SIETPOL faced delays as the software used by the Ministry of Interior became outdated. In 2023, with UNDP’s technical assistance, a new digital platform for SIETPOL was developed. New technology was utilized and new indicators were added, including the addition of a gender perspective. In 2024, the system will be implemented in a series of pilot territories yet to be determined, with a view to nationwide expansion and use by all police units under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior.
UNDP elaborated a capacitation plan for Venezuelan officials working in the security sector and dealing with information management of crime statistics, patterns and other data. Strengthening their professional capacities will improve the analysis of criminal phenomena and enable the development of public polices on citizen security tailored to the reality on the ground. The capacitation plan is the following:
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New courses on data management were designed to be added to the curriculum of the Experimental Security University (Universidad Experimental de la Seguridad - UNES). The updated curricular design was presented to the ministerial authorities and is awaiting approval.
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New degrees were suggested for the university, such as Specialist in Information Management, Master of Information Management and a doctoral degree in Information Management. The proposal was presented to the ministerial authorities and is awaiting approval.
To further strengthen the Office of Comprehensive Care for Victims of Violence, UNDP supported the development of two manuals that will guide the delivery of improved comprehensive services for violence survivors and present a training programme for the Office staff, including on measures to prevent violence. It is expected that both manuals will be completed and disseminated in 2024.
UNDP and the Ministry of Interior advanced in the implementation of the unified system for reporting crimes, misdemeanors and police actions which was 90 percent complete in 2023. Coordination between state institutions involved in the development and operationalization of the digital system took more time than expected. The pilot launch of the system is planned for 2024. Its compatibility with other digital systems already in use by the law enforcement and security forces in Venezuela will be ensured. The system will operate in line with the Law to Combat Gender Violence in Venezuela.
In addition, in cooperation with the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), UNDP explored the avenues to promote the Business and Human Rights (B+HR) agenda in the country, linking it to previous UNDP projects that supported inclusive growth and micro, small and medium businesses. The development of a National Action Plan on B+HR was among the recommendations that the Government of Venezuela received and accepted during its latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Lessons learned and good practices
UNDP’s cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace and its the Citizen Security Observatory was crucial for the success of such interventions as information system development, capacity building and infrastructure support. UNDP’s initiatives were designed based on the demands and priorities offered by the Ministry and other national partners, including the Statistics Division of the Scientific, Criminal and Criminalistic Investigations Corps, the Bolivarian National Police, the National Service for Disarmament, the National Institute of Statistics, and others.
Looking forward
UNDP will continue working with the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace and other national partners to improve citizen security and decrease levels of violence in Venezuela, gearing this work towards the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence.
To support economic recovery, UNDP will continue promoting the B+HR agenda in the country.