Advocating for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights in Venezuela
Background and legacy
Long before our formal registration in 2018, NORVEN Alliance started to raise its voice against the authoritarian actions of the Venezuelan regime, denouncing human rights violations, crimes against humanity, the collapse of the rule of law, the dismantling of democratic institutions, and the profound humanitarian, economic, ethical, and social crisis affecting our country.
Founded in Norway as an independent, non-profit and non-governmental organization without political affiliations, we built our reputation through consistency, courage, and credibility. At a time when international attention was scarce, reliable information in English was limited, and denial remained widespread, we undertook the difficult but necessary work of persistent, documented, and evidence-based denunciation.
Our work has:
- Positioned key narratives in Norway and across Europe.
- Opened institutional doors where none previously existed.
- Protected victims and causes when very few were willing or able to do so.
- Built a reservoir of trust, legitimacy, and professional and moral authority.
While working entirely with volunteers from diverse professions, ideologies, and backgrounds, we share one conviction: Venezuela urgently needs democratic change.
Our evolution. Entering a new phase
NORVEN Alliance was born in a context of emergency, denial, and international silence. At that time, denunciation was not just a strategy: it was the only tool available. So we used it, relentlessly and responsibly.
Our team organized the largest demonstrations in Oslo against the Venezuelan dictatorship and coordinated a full spectrum of pro-democracy initiatives, from citizen driven referendums and primary processes to non-partisan voter information efforts during the 2024 electoral cycle at the Venezuelan Embassy in Oslo.
Over the years, we have also accompanied Venezuelan asylum seekers in Norway, providing immigration bodies with reliable information on repression and human rights patterns to support the fair assessment of their cases.
Through articles and interviews in Norwegian media, and as invited speakers in academic and public forums, we kept Venezuela’s crisis on the national agenda. This sustained civic work culminated in an immense honor in October 2025: Being officially appointed to organize the Nobel Peace Prize Torchlight Procession in honor of Venezuelan opposition leader and laureate Maria Corina Machado.
That phase built legitimacy, created a network, and protected victims when few others were doing so. But today, in 2026, the landscape has shifted: Public discourse is saturated, new actors are emerging, and the transition ahead requires a different set of capabilities.
Denunciation remains necessary, but it is no longer sufficient on its own. After years of sustained advocacy, and authority earned through discipline and integrity, we now witness Venezuela entering a delicate stage of stabilization and transition. This moment calls not only for persistence, but for transformation.
We have listened, reflected deeply, and reassessed our role. And the conclusion is clear: The country is changing, and so must we.
A new vision for transformation: From denouncers to democratic agents
In this transitional phase, our purpose is to safeguard truth, preserve memory, uphold ethical standards, and contribute to Venezuela’s democratic reconstruction. Our focus shifts from reactive public advocacy to sustained democratic vigilance. We aim to become a reliable and fully independent actor that supports efforts to restore the rule of law, protect human rights, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote meaningful civil society oversight.
Our aim is to serve as a technical and moral reference, helping ensure that institutions, actors, and reforms align with rule of law, human rights, and democratic standards. Drawing on the relationships we have built over the years, we can act as trusted discussion partners for national and international decision makers, a bridge between institutions seeking to support democratic reconstruction, and facilitators of informed debate, evidence-based dialogue, and responsible policymaking. Our authority stems not from rhetoric, but from perseverance, credibility, and our unwavering ethical independence.
Strengthening and leveraging our institutional network will be essential to support the country during transition and democratization. NORVEN Alliance is entering a new chapter, so we invite you to walk with us as we embark on this new phase.
The alliances behind our work
We take great pride in the strong alliances we have built over the years, both in Norway and internationally, with NGOs, human rights organizations, universities, diaspora networks, European coalitions, and environmental groups dedicated to protecting the Amazon and its people. These partnerships enrich our mission, broaden our perspective, and strengthen our capacity to advocate for a free, just, and democratic Venezuela. Our growing network shares not only our vision, but also the knowledge, solidarity, and strategic commitment that amplify the impact of our work.
In Norway, we maintain active dialogue with engaged civilians, scholars, and research institutions, including the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen, and the Christian Michelsen Institute; as well as with governmental agencies and NGOs such as Amnesty Norway, Landinfo, and the Oslo Freedom Forum, to name a few. We also share information and keep open lines of communication with members of the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Utenriksdepartementet).
Beyond Norway, we belong to a wider ecosystem of regional and international cooperation. The Norwegian Venezuelan Justice Alliance holds observer status in Coalición por Venezuela, a network of more than 60 organizations across the Americas; and has cooperated with VenEuropa on specific initiatives and campaigns in Europe.
In 2021, alongside partner organizations and individuals across the continent, we launched Embajadores del Orinoco, an international platform dedicated to exposing and addressing the environmental and human devastation caused by illegal mining in the Venezuelan Amazon, particularly in the region known as the Arco Minero del Orinoco. This initiative continues to be one of our most active and critical areas of work.
Naturally, we also follow the work of Venezuelan human rights organizations very closely and are especially proud to draw on the work of Foro Penal. Foro Penal is a Venezuelan human rights NGO that has provided free legal assistance to victims of state repression since 2002, supporting more than 14,000 detainees and thousands of other victims. With over 200 volunteer lawyers, more than two thousand activists across the country, and international chapters (including Norway), it assists political prisoners, represents victims of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court, and engages with UN and non-UN mechanisms. Foro Penal’s work has earned several human rights awards, Nobel Peace Prize nominations, and frequent citations by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Together, these alliances form the foundation of our work, expand our reach, and reinforce our mission of advancing democracy, human rights, and ethical governance for Venezuela.
Our values
- Independence: We act without political or partisan affiliation and protect our credibility by remaining independent in judgment, voice, and priorities.
- Integrity: We uphold high ethical standards and human rights principles, making trust our most important asset.
- Constructive dialogue & bridge-building: We connect civil society and decision-makers through respectful dialogue, enabling cooperation that supports democratic transition and institutional rebuilding.
- Truth, evidence & documentation: We elevate facts over narratives by producing and sharing reliable information, grounded in documentation, verification, and rigorous analysis.
- Courage & responsibility: We speak up against abuses and act when democratic space is threatened, while taking responsibility for accuracy, fairness, and the consequences of our work.