Nicolás Maduro Guerra, a lawmaker from the PSUV and son of the former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, has publicly defended the controversial Law Against Hatred. During an appearance on the morning show 'Primera Página' on Globovisión, he claimed it was "necessary to pacify the country" and insisted that while the Chavista regime acknowledges "excesses" in its application, it denies using the law systematically as a tool for repression.
Maduro Guerra, now 35 and one of the prominent public voices of the family following his father's arrest on January 3, 2026, made statements that stand in stark contrast to the well-documented reports of repression by international bodies and human rights organizations.
In the interview, the deputy argued that the law emerged from "a wave of violence and hatred driven by a segment of the population seeking political change through violence," indirectly blaming the opposition. He added, "Venezuela is a democratic country."
Calls for Reform, Not Repeal
Rather than suggesting its repeal, Maduro Guerra aligned himself with fellow deputy Pedro Infante's stance, proposing to reform the law to "adapt and enhance" it and include provisions that penalize abuses during its enforcement.
"If we need to correct something, we acknowledge it and do so with the utmost good faith and goodwill," he asserted, while urging other sectors—referring to the anti-Chavista opposition—to also acknowledge that the law was "necessary to pacify the country."
The Law's Controversial Origins and Impact
The Constitutional Law Against Hatred, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance was enacted in November 2017 by the Chavista Constituent Assembly, then led by current acting President Delcy Rodríguez, amid the massive anti-government protests that year.
The law imposes prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years for broadly defined behaviors like promoting or inciting hatred. It mandates the removal of social media content within six hours and empowers the state to shut down media outlets and revoke party registrations.
Since its enactment, the repression statistics have been striking: Foro Penal recorded at least 927 individuals accused of "inciting hatred," while Cecodap reported that 118 adolescents were charged under this law between 2024 and 2025, lacking the protections outlined in juvenile protection legislation.
Human Rights Violations Documented
The UN's International Independent Fact-Finding Mission documented, during the post-electoral period of 2024, at least 28 murders, 2,229 arrests, and 29 short-term enforced disappearances.
Testimonies collected by international organizations describe torture involving beatings, electric shocks, suffocation with plastic bags, sexual violence, and confinement in dark cells, with the DGCIM and SEBIN identified as the main institutional perpetrators.
As of Maduro Guerra's statements, Foro Penal tallied 322 political prisoners in Venezuela, despite over 400 releases since January 2026.
Political Shift and Civil Society's Response
The reform process is part of a political shift by Rodríguez's government following Maduro's capture. On September 28, the acting president urged the National Assembly to expedite the modification "urgently."
In February 2026, Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, acknowledged "abuse situations" in applying the law, though he did not advocate for its repeal.
Civil society organizations and journalists oppose the partial reform and demand a complete repeal: The National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela deemed any modification insufficient without the law's full elimination.
Venezuelan journalist Fernando Tineo captured the public's reaction to the deputy's words on social media: "They have no remorse for everything they've done."
Understanding Venezuela's Law Against Hatred
What is Venezuela's Law Against Hatred?
The Law Against Hatred, officially called the Constitutional Law Against Hatred, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance, was enacted in 2017. It imposes severe penalties for actions deemed as promoting or inciting hatred, and grants the government broad powers to regulate media and political activities.
Why is the Law Against Hatred controversial?
The law is controversial because it has been used to justify significant human rights abuses, including imprisonments and reported acts of torture. Many international organizations and human rights groups argue that it serves as a tool for political repression rather than its stated goal of promoting peace and tolerance.
What is the current status of the debate over the law?
As of late 2026, there is a push by the Venezuelan government to reform the law, though many civil society groups and journalists demand its complete repeal, arguing that partial reforms are insufficient to prevent further abuses.