Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is encouraging citizens to use a government mobile application to report suspicious activities, driven by fears of a US-led campaign to oust him. This move has raised alarms among human rights groups about increased surveillance and potential political repression.
The software, called VenApp, was originally launched in 2022 as a hybrid application for reporting utility issues like power outages and water disruptions. However, it has been recently repurposed to allow users to inform the government of anything deemed seditious or disloyal, shifting from a public service tool to one of political control. This update was implemented within a week after Maduro’s call last month, reflecting the government’s rapid response to perceived threats.
Maduro’s push for citizens to use the app comes amid heightened tensions with the United States, including President Donald Trump’s authorization of CIA operations in Venezuela and the deployment of US warships, fighter jets, and up to 10,000 troops to the southern Caribbean Sea. The Trump administration claims these actions target drug traffickers, but they have been criticized by the United Nations and some US lawmakers for potential extrajudicial killings and abuse of power, fueling Maduro’s anxieties about regime change.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the online activist group Venezuela Sin Filtro, have condemned the app, warning that it promotes social vigilance and could lead to unlawful arrests, detention, and other serious abuses. They highlight concerns over privacy, freedom of expression, and the militarization of public order, noting that over 800 people are already imprisoned for political reasons in Venezuela, according to the legal rights group Foro Penal.
Despite being removed from Apple and Google app stores due to the controversy, VenApp remains functional for users who had it before August 2024, and the government has created a mobile web version to ensure continued access. In Caracas, CNN observed that the app invites citizens to report drone sightings or the presence of suspicious people, underscoring its role in monitoring dissent. The government denies holding political prisoners and has not responded to criticism of the app.
Public opinion in Venezuela is deeply divided; some supporters, like a resident from a Caracas slum, view the app as a means to defend the country against foreign threats and have used it effectively for utility issues. In contrast, opponents fear it enables government spying and avoid it, with one opposition supporter expressing concerns about being monitored and the erosion of trust among citizens. This polarization reflects the broader societal tensions under Maduro’s rule.
The situation highlights Maduro’s efforts to cling to power since 2013, despite an apparently decisive loss in the 2024 presidential election that was marred by allegations of vote-rigging. The European Union and independent monitors have backed opposition claims of electoral fraud, and the use of VenApp to report protest activities after the election has intensified fears of repression. As US-Venezuela relations remain strained, the app’s role could exacerbate human rights issues and influence regional stability, with ongoing international scrutiny likely.