Venezuela points to extraordinary move by UN Human Rights Agency

A United Nations agency that defends human rights was ordered to leave Venezuela on Thursday by the government of President Nicolás Maduro, an extraordinary step that will further free the country from foreign control at a time when the government is accused of intensifying repression.

The announcement, by Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, comes just days after the detention and temporary disappearance of Rocío San Miguel, a leading security expert and human rights activist.

Following her detention, several United Nations entities released statements online expressing concern over the arrest. Some call it part of a pattern of the government trying to silence critics through intimidation.

Mr Gil said he gave the staff of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 72 hours to “abandon” the country.

Phil Gunson, a Caracas-based Venezuela expert for the International Crisis Group, said the human rights agency's expulsion, combined with Ms. San Miguel's arrest, “marks a drastic hardening” by Maduro's government on its actions against political opponents and critics. .