Colectivos or collectives are irregular, leftist Venezuelan community organizations that support Nicolás Maduro, the Maduro administration and the party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).[3][4][5] Colectivo has become an umbrella term for armed paramilitary groups that operate in poverty-stricken areas and attack individuals,[2][3] engaging in "extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking and murder".[5] They are associated with extrajudicial killings and terrorizing those who disagree with them.[3]

The term may also refer to a community organization with any shared purpose, such as a neighborhood group that organizes social events.[2] Some colectivos began by doing community work or helping with social programs in barrios,[3][6] and their members said they promoted democracy, political activism and culture.[4]

As of 2019, there are dozens of colectivos in Venezuela