On February 22, 2019, the Venezuelan military under Nicolás Maduro opened fire on a largely Indigenous community in a violent attempt to repress any aid from entering the country. At least seven civilians were killed, another 57 wounded, and more than 60 others arrested.

On March 31, Kerry Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights led a joint delegation with Foro Penal to the border between Brazil and Venezuela to draw attention to the ongoing human rights abuses in the region.

During the visit, the delegation interviewed survivors of the Kumarakapay and Santa Elena massacres. Currently none of the soldiers are facing any criminal charges or disciplinary action, even as these communities along the border continue to be militarized.