Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Pablo Guanipa Seized by Armed Men in Caracas After Prison Release
CARACAS, Venezuela — In a dramatic escalation of Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa was forcibly seized by armed men in civilian clothing shortly after being released from prison, according to prominent opposition figure María Corina Machado. The incident occurred in the Los Chorros neighborhood of Caracas on Monday, just one day after Guanipa’s release from detention.
Machado, a vocal critic of the Venezuelan government, took to social media platform X to denounce the abduction and called for Guanipa’s immediate release. “We demand his immediate release,” she wrote, highlighting the precarious situation faced by opposition members in the country.
Guanipa, a key ally of Machado and a leading figure in the opposition, had been imprisoned since May 2025. His detention was part of a broader crackdown on dissent by Venezuelan authorities, who have frequently targeted opposition politicians and activists. According to Alfredo Romero, president of the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal, Guanipa was among 35 political prisoners released on Sunday, a move that was widely seen as an attempt to ease international pressure.
Despite his release, Reuters reported that Venezuelan authorities are seeking court approval to place Guanipa under house arrest. The country’s Public Ministry alleges that he violated the terms of his release, though details remain scarce. This development underscores the fragile nature of political freedoms in Venezuela, where the judiciary is often criticized for its lack of independence.
The situation has drawn international concern, with the United States recently moving to reopen its embassy in Caracas after a years-long freeze in diplomatic relations. The U.S. Department of State has emphasized the importance of supporting democratic institutions and human rights in Venezuela amid ongoing turmoil.
Juan Pablo Guanipa and María Corina Machado have been central figures in the opposition’s efforts to challenge the government of Nicolás Maduro. Their activism has often placed them at odds with state authorities, who have been accused by organizations such as Human Rights Watch of systematic repression against political opponents.
The abduction of Guanipa shortly after his release signals a worrying intensification of tactics used against opposition leaders. The incident occurred in the capital’s Los Chorros area, a neighborhood that has witnessed previous security operations and protests. Machado’s public statements and the response from human rights groups suggest that this event could further destabilize Venezuela’s already volatile political landscape.
As the international community watches closely, calls for transparency and respect for human rights continue to grow. The United Nations has repeatedly urged all parties in Venezuela to engage in dialogue and uphold democratic principles, warning that continued political repression risks deepening the country’s humanitarian and social crises.
With Guanipa’s fate uncertain, opposition leaders and their supporters remain resolute in their demand for justice and democratic freedoms. The recent developments serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Venezuela’s opposition amid a government increasingly intolerant of dissent.
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