There was a long and huge campaign promoted by George Bush and Obama against Venezuela and Chávez using LGBTQ+ groups and NGOs. I don't believe Chávez was homophobic, but he simply didn't do much to help or improve the situation of LGBTQ+ people, and the abuses of the police and some of the more reactionary and conservative Chavista politicians continued with homophobic policies.

Then, when Maduro was elected, things changed for the better. Maduro, personally, is pro-LGBTQ+ and started pushing for more LGBTQ+ policies within the PSUV. A few days before Guaido's attempted legislative coup, Maduro met with LGBTQ+ groups and promised to promote same-sex marriage, adoption and the protection of LGBTQ+ people. But then Guaido fucked up and the attempt to reform the constitution was suspended due to the political instability at the time. And as soon as Maduro accepted LGBTQ+ people into government, the US stopped sending funding to NGOs.