Venezuelan Opposition Leader Re-Arrested Hours After Release
Caracas, Venezuela – – Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa was re-arrested on Monday, just hours after being released from prison, sparking renewed accusations of political persecution. The move casts doubt on the scope of a pending amnesty bill intended to free hundreds of political prisoners.
The re-arrest was first reported by Guanipa’s son, Ramón, who described the incident as a “kidnapping” carried out by an armed group traveling in a silver Toyota Corolla, a white Range Rover and a Renault Symbol. According to Ramón, the attackers intercepted his father late at night and forced him into the vehicles without presenting any official identification.
Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor’s Office later stated it had requested a court to revoke the precautionary measure that allowed Guanipa’s release, citing alleged breaches of the conditions imposed upon him. Prosecutors are now seeking to place him under house arrest, arguing We see necessary to safeguard ongoing criminal proceedings.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado condemned the re-arrest, demanding Guanipa’s “immediate release.” She accused authorities of deploying heavily armed men in civilian clothes to carry out the detention.
Guanipa, a senior figure in Primero Justicia and a close ally of Machado, had been freed on alongside other members of Machado’s circle. Following his release, he participated in a motorbike caravan and publicly celebrated his return, turning the moment into a political event.
The re-arrest comes as Venezuela considers an amnesty bill that could potentially free hundreds of political prisoners. However, families and rights groups remain skeptical about the government’s commitment to the process, particularly in light of Guanipa’s case.
Guanipa previously served as vice president of the Parliament and was elected governor of the oil-rich state of Zulia, but he refused to swear allegiance to a Constituent Assembly established by President Maduro that had assumed functions of the Parliament, then controlled by the opposition. He was subsequently removed from his position.
His most recent public appearance before his initial detention was on , when he accompanied Machado to a rally against Maduro’s investiture.
“I believe this has to end with respect for the will of the Venezuelan people,” Guanipa told AFP shortly after his initial release from prison. “On July 28, 2024, the people spoke, and there was a popular decision.” He was referring to the opposition’s claim of victory in the 2024 presidential election.
“Do we want to respect it? Let’s respect it, that’s basic, that’s logical. Oh, you don’t want to respect it? Then let’s have an electoral process,” he added.
Guanipa was among the highest-ranking opposition leaders remaining in prison. His brief release had been seen as a precursor to the approval of a general amnesty law, scheduled to be debated on .
The process of releasing political prisoners was announced by Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power after the capture of Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. Military operation. Rodríguez announced a first wave of releases on , and the NGO Foro Penal has since verified nearly 400 releases.
Also released on was former opposition lawmaker Freddy Superlano, one of the first to be detained following the 2024 presidential elections. His party, Voluntad Popular, confirmed his release.
Superlano posted a message on social media requesting continued prayers for the release of all remaining political prisoners “in the coming hours.”
