Many of Venezuela's hospitals don't even have running water, so they can't do anything to slow the spread of Covid-19. So why are the government's published totals so low? Maduro might well order officials to lie, but I don't see why lying about this would do his side any good.

What worries me more is the report of repression. It could be true or it could be disinformation; I don't have a basis to rule out either one.