Police Illegally Raid LGBT Bar and Detain Patrons in Venezuela

On May 30, 2026, plainclothes police officers illegally raided an LGBT bar in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. According to the victims, the officers accused those present of the “crime of homosexuality,” extorted money, and publicly outed the detainees’ sexual orientation to their families and friends.

The incident was reported by human rights organizations, including the Venezuelan Observatory of LGBT Violence (Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia LGBTIQ+), Caleidoscopio Humano, and Movimiento Somos. Human rights defenders stated that this raid is part of a systematic policy of criminalizing LGBT people in the country and demanded an investigation.

In recent months, raids have taken place in at least six LGBT venues across different regions of Venezuela. A similar case occurred in July 2023 in the state of Carabobo, where police detained 33 men on charges of “outraging public morals.” They were released only after mass protests.

The Venezuelan government has not yet commented on the raid in Barquisimeto.