#Nicolas Maduro is a monster

A UN fact-finding mission has amassed evidence of “crimes against humanity” by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his top lieutenants.

“Far from being isolated acts, these crimes were coordinated and committed pursuant to state policies, with the knowledge or direct support of commanding officers and senior government officials,” reports the UN’s Marta Valinas.

We’re talking extrajudicial executions, disappearing political opponents and torturing protesters with such techniques as electric shocks, genital mutilation and asphyxiation.

The 411-page report, commissioned by the Human Rights Council and released Wed­nesday, draws on more than 270 interviews with victims, witnesses and ex-officials, as well as confidential documents.

It cites “reasonable grounds” to believe that Venezuela’s intelligence services planted evidence on victims, like opposition lawmaker Fernando Alban, whom the government says suicided in 2018, and that Navy Capt. Rafael Acosta died of torture in custody last year, among thousands of other cases.

It’s ample grounds for International Criminal Court proceedings — or more direct action to unseat a dictator who’s basically torturing his entire nation to death.