US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the rescue of five members of Venezuela’s Democratic opposition coalition who had been sheltering in place due to threats from Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
The five opposition leaders were forced to hide in Argentina’s embassy in Caracas last March after Dictator Maduro increased persecution of his political opponents.
Secretary Rubio claimed the Venezuelan opposition leaders were rescued through a “precise operation,” the details of which currently remain unknown.
“Following a precise operation, all hostages are now safely on U.S. soil,” said Rubio. “Maduro's illegitimate regime has undermined Venezuela's institutions, violated human rights, and endangered our regional security.”
Argentina’s Presidential Office personally thanked Rubio for his “personal commitment in the rescue operation.”
Argentina President Javier Milei claimed that Rubio’s involvement in the rescue operation “made possible” the Venezuelan opposition leaders’ return to liberty.
Venezuelan Democratic leader Maria Corina Machado defined the rescue operation as “impeccable” and “epic.”
“My infinite recognition and gratitude to all those who made it possible,” said Machado. “We will free each of our 900 heroes imprisoned by this tyranny and 30 MILLION VENEZUELANS!”
Hundreds of Venezuelan protestors were jailed following anti-government protests last year.
The protests erupted amidst the Maduro regime's refusal to permit free and fair presidential elections.
Subsequently, Venezuelan government forces detained hundreds of pro-democracy protestors and activists while threatening Democratic leaders, including Machado.
Maduro recently increased threats against Machado after the latter supported President Donald Trump’s recent economic measures crippling Venezuela’s oil exports.
President Trump canceled former President Joe Biden’s Venezuelan oil export licenses earlier this week.
President Trump’s license cancellation effectively reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector that had been levied on Venezuela during Trump’s first term.
President Biden lifted such sanctions in the ‘Barbados Agreement’ in exchange for assurances from Dictator Maduro that he would host free and fair elections.
