Defensoría del Pueblo (Venezuela)

The Defensoría del Pueblo de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela (literally Public Defender of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, though usually translated as Ombudsman) is a state-funded human rights agency in Venezuela responsible for investigating complaints against any public authority. Along with the Public Ministry (the Attorney General’s department) and the Comptroller-General of the Republic, the office forms the 'citizens’ power' branch of the Government of Venezuela (alongside the executive, judicial and legislative powers). The three bodies collectively form the Republican Moral Council, a body established to promote moral and ethical behaviour by public officials.

Headed by an Ombudsman (Defensor (male) or Defensora (female) del Pueblo) appointed for a seven-year term by a panel of members of the National Assembly, the agency is based in Caracas with offices throughout the country. Created by the 1999 Constitution, it is recognised by the United Nations as the national human rights institution (NHRI) for Venezuela. It is thus a member of the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs and of its regional grouping, the Network of National Institutions in the Americas. Being, as are most NHRIs in Spanish-speaking countries, an ombudsman institution, it is also a member of the Iberoamerican Ombudsman Federation (Federación Iberoamericana de Ombudsman) and other networks such as the Andean Council of Ombudsmen (Consejo Andino de Defensores del Pueblo).

The Defensoría exists to monitor and promote compliance with human rights and administrative justice. The 1999 Constitution tasked it with "promotion, defence and vigilance for rights and guarantees" set out in the Constitution and in international treaties, and the defence of democracy, social justice and the rule of law.

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