U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed details of a covert operation that freed five Venezuelan opposition members who sought refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas for over a year.
According to Breitbart, the rescued dissidents, all close allies of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, are now safely on American soil following what Rubio described as a "precise operation."
The operation rescued Pedro Urruchurtu, Magallí Meda, Claudia Macero, Humberto Villalobos, and Ómar González, who had been trapped in the embassy since March 2024. The group sought sanctuary after Venezuelan authorities issued arrest warrants against them during Maduro's "Bolivarian Fury" crackdown campaign.
Venezuela's political tension escalates after fraudulent election
The dissidents' predicament began shortly after Nicolás Maduro received sanctions relief from former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration. Despite promising to hold free elections, Maduro conducted what many consider a sham election in July 2024, declaring himself the winner without providing evidence of the results.
Opposition candidate Edmundo González fled to Spain in September, while María Corina Machado, who was barred from running, remains in hiding. The Maduro regime intensified its crackdown on dissidents, targeting those they accused of plotting assassination attempts against regime officials.
Secretary of State Rubio stated:
The U.S. welcomes the successful rescue of all hostages held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas. Following a precise operation, all hostages are now safely on U.S. soil. Maduro's illegitimate regime has undermined Venezuela's institutions, violated human rights, and endangered our regional security.
International diplomatic efforts during embassy crisis
The Argentine embassy faced severe harassment from Venezuelan authorities, including water and power cuts, theft of the building's fuse box, and constant intimidation of the dissidents. After Maduro severed diplomatic ties with Argentina and other nations that refused to recognize his electoral victory, Brazil temporarily assumed custody of the embassy.
Venezuelan authorities later revoked Brazil's custodial rights, but Brazilian officials maintained their commitment to protect both the embassy and the dissidents. This standoff continued until President Javier Milei could designate another acceptable country to assume responsibility.
María Corina Machado praised the rescue operation:
An impeccable and epic operation for the freedom of five heroes of Venezuela. My infinite recognition and gratitude to all those who made it possible. We will free each of our 900 heroes imprisoned by this tyranny and 30 million Venezuelans! And with Freedom, will come irreversible change to a Venezuela of Prosperity, Justice, and Peace!
Argentina's ongoing diplomatic challenge with Venezuela
President Javier Milei expressed gratitude to all parties involved in the rescue operation, particularly acknowledging Rubio's personal commitment. However, Argentina continues to face challenges with Venezuela, specifically regarding the release of Argentine gendarme Nahuel Gallo, who remains in Venezuelan custody.
The successful operation occurred while Maduro was visiting Russia, and neither the dictator nor his regime officials have commented on the rescue. Military sources confirmed to Argentine media that the operation was commanded from the United States.
The timing of the rescue coincided with mounting international pressure on the Maduro regime for its human rights violations and increasingly authoritarian governance.
Triumph amidst ongoing Venezuelan crisis
A covert U.S.-led operation successfully extracted five Venezuelan opposition members who had been confined to the Argentine embassy in Caracas since March 2024. The dissidents, all associates of opposition leader María Corina Machado, found themselves trapped after Maduro's regime issued arrest warrants during his "Bolivarian Fury" crackdown campaign.
The rescue marks a significant victory for international efforts to protect political dissidents in Venezuela, though challenges remain. President Milei's administration continues to negotiate for the release of Argentine gendarme Nahuel Gallo, while Venezuela's political crisis shows no signs of resolution under Maduro's increasingly authoritarian rule.
