The United States has confirmed the successful extraction of five Venezuelan opposition figures who had taken refuge for over a year in the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas, following an operation that brought them safely to U.S. soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Following a precise operation, all hostages are now safely on U.S. soil,” Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio said in a post on Tuesday evening. “We extend our gratitude to all personnel involved in this operation and to our partners who assisted in securing the safe liberation of these Venezuelan heroes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The operation ended a months-long standoff, during which four senior aides to Venezuelan opposition leaders Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez and Mar\u00eda Corina Machado endured intense pressure from the Maduro government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The five\u2014Magalli Meda, Claudia Macero, Omar Gonz\u00e1lez, Pedro Urruchurtu and Humberto Villalobos\u2014had been accused by the regime of conspiracy and treason, and had taken refuge in the embassy in July 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During their time inside the embassy, the group faced severe harassment from Venezuelan police, including cutoffs to electricity and water, as well as restricted access to food and medicine, according to La Naci\u00f3n. The embassy was under the protection of Brazil after the Maduro government expelled Argentina\u2019s diplomatic staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opposition leader Mar\u00eda Corina Machado praised the operation, calling it \u201cimpeccable and epic\u201d and expressing gratitude to all who made it possible. \u201cWe will free each of our 900 heroes imprisoned by this tyranny\u2014and 30 million Venezuelans,\u201d she said. \u201cWith freedom will come irreversible change for a Venezuela of prosperity, justice, and peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally, six members of Machado\u2019s team sought asylum in the embassy. Fernando Mart\u00ednez Mottola left the compound in December 2024 due to worsening health and died two months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It remains unclear how the rescue was executed. The Maduro government has not yet issued a response to the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n