0
0
Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said an ally, Juan Pablo Guanipa, was kidnapped in Caracas just hours after his release from prison. The alleged incident occurred as lawmakers prepare to vote on a proposed amnesty law linked to long standing political detentions.
Machado said armed men took Guanipa late Sunday in the Los Chorros area of the capital. According to her statement on social media, the men arrived in multiple vehicles and forced him away shortly after his return to civilian life.
She called for his immediate release.
Detention Followed Brief Freedom
Guanipa, a former vice president of the National Assembly and a close ally of Machado, had earlier appeared in a video showing documents linked to his release. In the video, he said he had spent months in hiding before being detained in Caracas.
After his release, Guanipa spoke publicly about the disputed 2024 presidential election. He urged authorities to respect the outcome or allow a new electoral process. The opposition maintains that its candidate won the vote, while Nicolas Maduro claimed victory and stayed in power until January.
Guanipa was arrested in May 2025 over accusations tied to an alleged plot against legislative and regional elections. Prosecutors charged him with terrorism, money laundering and incitement to violence. He had remained out of public view for months before his arrest.
Amnesty Vote and Prisoner Releases
The reported kidnapping comes ahead of a parliamentary vote on an amnesty bill. The proposal covers charges that authorities have used for years to jail political opponents during nearly three decades of socialist rule.
In recent weeks, authorities have released dozens of detainees. Rights groups estimate that hundreds of political prisoners remain in custody. NGO Foro Penal confirmed that several dozen people were freed on Sunday alone, with nearly 400 releases reported since early January.
Among those freed were former legal adviser Perkins Rocha and opposition figure Freddy Superlano. Families of detainees continue to call for faster and broader releases.
Political Context and Reactions
Machado initially welcomed Guanipa’s release and described it as a step toward broader freedom for political prisoners. Following reports of his kidnapping, she said the situation underscored ongoing risks faced by opposition figures.
Lawmakers previously gave initial approval to the amnesty proposal. However, major opposition groups have criticized the draft, citing gaps that could leave many detainees excluded.
The interim government has framed the amnesty effort as part of a national reconciliation process. At the same time, relatives of jailed activists say patience is wearing thin as they await news of their loved ones.
