Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro grasps a sword during a government-organized civic-military rally in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday. Ariana Cubillos/AP

Venezuela is entering one of its most repressive periods in years, rights monitors say, as President Nicolás Maduro faces mounting isolation and an expanding US military presence in the Caribbean.

According to the Venezuela human rights group Provea, October saw the highest level of repression since the start of the bilateral tensions , with 54 detentions of people, many of whom linked to opposition leader María Corina Machado.

“This is a policy designed to instill fear among Venezuelans,” said Marino Alvarado, the NGO’s coordinator, who warned about worsening prison conditions, overcrowding, and punishments against political d

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