Venezuelan Opposition Leader Kidnapped After Release from Jail
María Corina Machado, a prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition, announced on Monday that Juan Pablo Guanipa, a key ally, was abducted shortly after being released from prison in Caracas.
In a post on social media platform X, Machado stated that Guanipa was taken by armed men dressed in civilian clothes in the Los Chorros area of the capital. She asserted, “We demand his immediate release.”
Alfredo Romero, head of the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal, confirmed that Guanipa was one of 35 political prisoners freed over the weekend. Guanipa had been arrested in May and was recently released, only to face this alarming incident.
Reports indicate that Venezuelan authorities are looking for judicial approval to place Guanipa under house arrest, accusing him of breaching the terms of his release without providing further details about his current status.
The Primero Justicia party, of which Guanipa is a member, claimed he was forced into a silver Toyota Corolla during the abduction. The party has called for accountability, stating, “We hold Delcy Rodríguez, Jorge Rodríguez, and Diosdado Cabello responsible for any harm to Juan Pablo’s life.” They are urging the international community to act for his immediate release and to put an end to the persecution of opposition members.
The U.S. State Department has yet to provide a comment on the situation.
Rodríguez is currently acting as Venezuela’s interim president following the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro and his wife earlier this year. The political landscape in Venezuela remains tense, with many still detained. As of February 2, Foro Penal reported around 687 political prisoners are still in custody.
This unfolding story highlights the ongoing struggles faced by political figures in Venezuela and the challenges of opposition activities within the country.
