Opposition demands complete repeal

Venezuela's primary opposition alliance, the Democratic Unitary Platform, rejected a proposal by acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Wednesday to amend the country's controversial anti-hate statute. The coalition, which supports opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, argued that an instrument designed for political persecution cannot simply be revised. In an official communique, the alliance insisted that freedom of expression, the right to inform, freedom of thought, and political participation must not operate under fear of arbitrary state punishment. The bloc stated that repealing the law entirely is a necessary step toward restoring civil liberties, democratic guarantees, and the rule of law.

“Pretending to reform an unconstitutional law that has been used to persecute, criminalize and imprison innocent citizens is an absurdity. For years, this instrument has formed part of the repressive framework used to silence dissent and restrict fundamental freedoms.”

Rodríguez acknowledges abusive application

The opposition's refusal follows remarks delivered on Tuesday by Rodríguez during an event with coffee farmers in the western state of Portuguesa. The acting president, who originally helped promote the measure in 2017, publicly conceded that the legislation had been poorly applied and subjected to abusive enforcement by authorities in prior years. Despite recognizing those systemic abuses, Rodríguez defended what she described as the statute's underlying principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. She subsequently asked the Chavista-controlled National Assembly to open legislative proceedings to draft formal amendments to the statute.

“Unfortunately it was badly applied, an abusive use of that law was made, but I believe in the principles of that law, the principle of tolerance, the principle of love in relationships, that hate is not imposed but that we can live together.”

Provisions of the 2017 statute

Formally named the Constitutional Law Against Hate, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance, the legislation was enacted in 2017 under deposed president Nicolás Maduro, who has been held in United States custody since January. Spanning 25 articles, the law states in Article 1 that its objective is to foster diversity, tolerance, and mutual respect. However, the legal text bans political parties and civic associations that state entities accuse of promoting intolerance, while prohibiting similar messages across broadcast media and digital social networks. The statute establishes prison terms of 10 to 20 years for inciting hate, discrimination, or violence, and authorizes regulators to cancel broadcasting licenses for non-compliant radio and television outlets.

Documented detentions and legal restrictions

Legal experts and civil society groups, including human rights organization Espacio Público, have warned that the law's ambiguous wording grants authorities wide discretion to prosecute peaceful critics and journalists. Data compiled by the non-governmental organization Foro Penal shows that 927 individuals have faced charges of hate incitement since the measure entered into force in 2017. As of late September 2026, six of those charged individuals remain incarcerated, while 638 individuals continue to live under court-mandated restrictions on their personal liberty.

Total accused927

Under restrictive measures638

Currently detained6

Total accused

927 people

Under restrictive measures

638 people

Currently detained

6 people

Data from the article text