Caracas: Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa was forcibly detained late Sunday night by heavily armed individuals, only hours after being released from prison, sparking outrage among opposition groups and human rights organizations.
Supporters of Guanipa said the senior opposition figure was taken away by a group of armed men dressed in civilian clothing in a residential area of Caracas. His family described the incident as a “forced abduction,” directly blaming the Venezuelan authorities for the action.
Shortly after reports of his detention surfaced, Venezuela’s public prosecutor’s office stated that it had requested Guanipa be placed under house arrest, alleging that he violated conditions tied to his earlier release. However, critics argue that no clear evidence of any breach has been presented.
Guanipa, a leading figure of the conservative Primero Justicia party, was among several political prisoners freed earlier in the day. His release was seen as part of ongoing efforts by Caracas to meet international demands, particularly from the United States, following recent political developments in the country.
Opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado said armed men arrived in multiple vehicles and detained Guanipa by force. She condemned the action as an attack on democratic freedoms and political opposition in Venezuela.
Guanipa’s son, Ramón Guanipa, claimed his father was surrounded by unidentified armed agents during a late-night gathering. He said weapons were pointed at those present before his father was taken away, and demanded proof that Guanipa was safe and alive.
The Primero Justicia party issued a statement holding senior government figures responsible for any harm to Guanipa. The party warned that such actions undermine promises of political reconciliation and justice.
Guanipa had spent more than eight months behind bars after being arrested in May 2025 over allegations of involvement in an alleged plot against elections—claims he has consistently denied. Upon his release earlier Sunday, he shared a video message emphasizing truth, democracy, and the future of Venezuela.
Human rights organization Foro Penal confirmed that at least 30 political detainees were released the same day, though hundreds remain imprisoned. Rights groups continue to accuse Venezuelan authorities of using arbitrary arrests to silence dissent, an accusation the government firmly rejects.
