Venezuelan Opposition Members Exit Shelter After Over a Year of Exile

Five members of Venezuela’s political opposition have exited the Argentine diplomatic compound in the nation's capital, Caracas, after remaining there for over a year to evade arrest.

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that they were in the U.S. following what he referred to as a rescue mission.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration did not promptly address the circumstances at hand.

The US celebrates the safe liberation of every hostage detained by the Maduro administration at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas," stated Mr. Rubio on X. "After a well-executed mission, all hostages have been securely transferred to U.S. territory.

In March 2024, under President Javier Milei's administration in Argentina, five individuals were permitted entry into the ambassador’s residence. This occurred after officials aligned with Venezuela’s governing party issued arrest warrants against them, alleging they had instigated violent actions aimed at undermining the nation.

The team comprised the campaign manager and communications director of opposition figure Maria Corina Machada.

Ms. Machado, who also posted on X, expressed gratitude to those involved in what she referred to as an "exemplary and legendary operation for the Liberation of five Venezuelan heroes."

Since late November, the group had denounced the constant presence of intelligence service agents and police outside the residence. It had also accused the government of cutting electricity and water services to the compound.

The government had denied the allegations.

Fernando Martinez, a cabinet minister in the 1990s, sheltered with the group for nine months. He abandoned the compound in mid-December and, according to Venezuelan authorities, appeared before prosecutors. He died in February.

Mr Maduro’s government routinely targeted its real or perceived opponents ahead of last year’s presidential election and its crackdown on dissent only increased after the country’s National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared him the winner despite credible evidence to the contrary.

The election results announced by the Electoral Council sparked protests across the country to which the government responded with force and ended with more than 20 people dead.

They also prompted an end to diplomatic relations between Venezuela and various foreign countries, including Argentina.

In August, following Mr Maduro's administration's expulsion of their diplomats due to his refusal to acknowledge "another fraud" after Mr Milei made this statement, Brazil agreed to Argentina’s request to protect the diplomatic facility in Caracas.

A month later, Venezuela revoked Brazil’s authorisation to guard the facility, alleging it had evidence of the use of the premises “for the planning of terrorist activities and assassination attempts”.

Brazil and Argentina have dismissed those allegations.