There are 76 “arbitrary detentions” in Venezuela The non-governmental organization Peace Lab is counting down the 15 days of the campaign for the July 28 presidential elections, the NGO said in a report released Saturday, without specifying whether any of the people had been released.

Through X, the NGO warned about “the growth of state political violence” about “arrests” and “denunciations of the right to political participation,” as well as “blockades and attacks on media outlets and organizations defending freedom of opinion and expression.”

Of the total number of arrests recorded between July 4 and July 19, 38 were in the state of Tachira. (west, border with Colombia), according to the Peace Lab, which also collects data from other organizations.

Similarly, the NGO said it had recorded 28 cases of “harassment” in the first 15 days of the campaign. – a dozen of them, he noted, were agents of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) –six “physical or psychological attacks,” 20 cases of “retaliation for providing goods and services to candidates’ campaigns,” and four “cases of attempted asset retention.”

On the other hand, there was 13 cases of “violation of freedom of speech and information” and five “blockings of websites and information verification sites,” while observing “proselytizing propaganda in favor of the official candidate (President Nicolás Maduro)” on portals and in “social networks of state institutions.”

The Peace Lab reminded that competitive and legitimate political participation “requires cessation of practices that threaten the full enjoyment of freedoms which ensure that people peacefully express, meet and demonstrate their preferences and options for the future in the election campaign.”

That’s why he called “allow a campaign with real guarantees of competitiveness” and “an end to arbitrary detentions,” and, he added, “to respect and guarantee full conditions for political expression and participation.”

Until last Wednesday, the main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), More than 70 arrests were countedAmong them is Milciades Avila, the security chief of anti-Chavista leader María Corina Machado, who was released on Thursday under precautionary measures after more than 36 hours in custody.