Venezuela frees several opposition members after politically-motivated detentions
Global News
Their releases come as the government of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez faces mounting pressure to free hundreds of people.
Venezuela’s government on Sunday released from prison several prominent opposition members, including one of the closest allies of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, after lengthy politically motivated detentions.
Their releases come as the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez faces mounting pressure to free hundreds of people whose detentions months or years ago have been linked to their political beliefs. They also follow a visit to Venezuela of representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“Today, we are being released,” Juan Pablo Guanipa, a Machado ally and former governor, said in a video posted on X. “Much to discuss about the present and future of Venezuela, always with the truth at the forefront.”
Guanipa, who spent more than eight months in custody, was released from a detention facility in the capital, Caracas. An armored vehicle and officers appeared behind him in the video he released.
Venezuelan-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal confirmed the release of at least 30 people on Sunday.
In addition to Guanipa, Machado’s political organization said several of its members were among the released, including Maria Oropeza, who livestreamed her arrest by military intelligence officers as they broke into her home with a crowbar. Machado’s attorney, Perkins Rocha, was also freed.
“Let’s go for the freedom of Venezuela!” Machado posted on X.
Guanipa was detained in late May and accused by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello of participating in an alleged “terrorist group” plotting to boycott that month’s legislative election. Guanipa’s brother Tomás rejected the accusation, and said that the arrest was meant to crack down on dissent.
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