Juan Pablo Guanipa, a key Venezuelan opposition leader, has been arrested on terrorism charges ahead of crucial parliamentary elections. Opposition members accuse the government of stifling dissent following unrest after the controversial presidential election that saw Nicolas Maduro claim victory amidst allegations of election fraud. Guanipa, posting from hiding, has been vocally critical of human rights abuses by the regime, asserting his detention is politically motivated. The charged atmosphere leading up to the elections suggests intensified conflict between government forces and opposition, exacerbated by past violent crackdowns following protests.
Brothers and sisters, if you are reading this, it is because I have been kidnapped by the forces of Nicolas Maduro's regime, Guanipa wrote.
Since Venezuela held a hotly contested presidential election in July 2024, Guanipa, along with several other opposition figures, has been in hiding, for fear of being arrested.
The opposition coalition published tallies from voting stations that it said proved its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, had prevailed in a landslide.
Maduro's government responded to the election-related protests with a police crackdown that led to nearly 2,000 arrests and 25 people killed.
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