Caracas (AP) – Five Venezuelan opposition figures, who were recently evacuated to the Argentine embassy in Caracas, were first identified on Saturday after leaving the diplomatic enclaves. The United States has characterized flights from Venezuela as part of an ongoing “unprecedented” rescue mission.
The Venezuelan government refutes the notion of a rescue, asserting that it is merely part of negotiations.
“Our rescue, our escape was an unprecedented operation,” stated Magali Meda during a press conference in Washington. Meda is affiliated with the opposition group Venezuela, which is led by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Meda emphasized that specifics regarding the operation will remain undisclosed as it is “still in progress.”
Alongside Meda, Pedro Urture, Claudia Macero, Jumbel Villarobos, Omar Gonzalez, and Fernando Martinez Mottola were evacuated to an Argentine diplomatic facility in Caracas after a Venezuelan prosecutor ordered their arrest. They have been accused of inciting violence from President Nicolas Maduro aimed at undermining the government, which has been cracking down on dissent following last year’s disputed elections.
Since late November, the group has reported continuous monitoring by intelligence agencies and police outside their diplomatic quarters. They also allege that the Maduro government has obstructed access to water and electricity in the compounds—claims that the government denies.
Earlier this month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced, “after the exact surgery, all hostages are safe on U.S. soil.”
Meda referred to the exit as a “miracle,” after spending 412 days within diplomatic confines. She described it as “a strategic maneuver involving a large number of people and substantial risks.”
The Venezuelan government continues to dismiss rescue narratives, with Venezuelan Home Minister Diosdado Cabello labeling it all as “theater.”
Source: apnews.com