High-Profile Arrest: Juan Pablo Guanipa Detained Amid Venezuela's Political Turmoil
Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent Venezuelan opposition politician and ally of Maria Corina Machado, has been arrested on allegations of leading a terrorist plot. The arrest comes days before the parliamentary elections, adding tension to Venezuela's political landscape. The government frequently accuses the opposition of conspiring against President Maduro.
Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa was arrested on allegations of plotting against the government, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced Friday. Guanipa, a key ally of Maria Corina Machado, faces charges of terrorism and money laundering, marking heightened tensions ahead of the country's parliamentary elections.
Officials claim Guanipa's arrest is tied to an alleged conspiracy involving 70 individuals, including foreigners, aimed at disrupting regional and legislative elections. Despite being in hiding since last year's presidential election, Guanipa has now been apprehended, following the trend of intensified government crackdowns since the disputed 2024 election.
The opposition and various rights groups have criticized these arrests as a government strategy to stifle dissent. Guanipa refuted the charges, asserting they stem from government fears of the population's support for the opposition, while Machado emphasized ongoing efforts to free detained political figures and ensure victory in their struggle against the government.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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