**In a significant diplomatic achievement, five Venezuelan opposition leaders have been rescued from their prolonged confinement at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas and have safely arrived in the United States.**
**Five Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Successfully Evacuated to the US**
**Five Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Successfully Evacuated to the US**
**U.S. State Department confirms a successful operation to extract five Venezuelan political figures from the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas.**
In a dramatic turn of events, five Venezuelan opposition members, who had sought refuge at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas to evade government arrest, were successfully evacuated to the United States in an operation confirmed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "The US welcomes the successful rescue of all hostages held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas," Rubio announced via a post on social media platform X. He highlighted that all individuals involved are now secure on US soil.
The operation comes after months where Venezuelan authorities surrounded the embassy, effectively placing the opposition members under a persistent state of siege. Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader, expressed her gratitude for the successful escape, referring to it as an "impeccable and epic operation for the freedom of five heroes." The detained members received asylum upon approval from Argentina's President Javier Milei, amidst a context of disputed elections favoring President Nicolás Maduro, leading to a strained relationship between the two countries.
Previously, the Venezuelan government had accused opposition members of engaging in "terrorist activities and assassination attempts" against Maduro, claiming to have evidence backing their allegations. Throughout their confinement, opposition figures reported that supplies, including electricity and water, had been cut off, severely jeopardizing their safety within the embassy.
While Rubio did not disclose the identities of those rescued, it is known that the five individuals were Magalli Meda, Pedro Urruchurtu, Omar Gonzalez, Humberto Villalobos, and Claudia Macero. The nature of their extraction remains unclear, although indications suggest a complex operation involving US diplomatic channels.
The Argentinian Embassy had been under the protective custody of Brazil, following the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Venezuela after the controversial elections last year. However, this protection ceased when the Venezuelan government revoked Brazil's oversight in September, leading to increased tensions around the embassy.
This successful operation reinforces the US's stance on international obligations concerning asylum seekers and highlights ongoing tensions in Venezuela under Maduro's regime.
The operation comes after months where Venezuelan authorities surrounded the embassy, effectively placing the opposition members under a persistent state of siege. Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader, expressed her gratitude for the successful escape, referring to it as an "impeccable and epic operation for the freedom of five heroes." The detained members received asylum upon approval from Argentina's President Javier Milei, amidst a context of disputed elections favoring President Nicolás Maduro, leading to a strained relationship between the two countries.
Previously, the Venezuelan government had accused opposition members of engaging in "terrorist activities and assassination attempts" against Maduro, claiming to have evidence backing their allegations. Throughout their confinement, opposition figures reported that supplies, including electricity and water, had been cut off, severely jeopardizing their safety within the embassy.
While Rubio did not disclose the identities of those rescued, it is known that the five individuals were Magalli Meda, Pedro Urruchurtu, Omar Gonzalez, Humberto Villalobos, and Claudia Macero. The nature of their extraction remains unclear, although indications suggest a complex operation involving US diplomatic channels.
The Argentinian Embassy had been under the protective custody of Brazil, following the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Venezuela after the controversial elections last year. However, this protection ceased when the Venezuelan government revoked Brazil's oversight in September, leading to increased tensions around the embassy.
This successful operation reinforces the US's stance on international obligations concerning asylum seekers and highlights ongoing tensions in Venezuela under Maduro's regime.
