Juan Pablo Guanipa, a veteran Venezuelan opposition politician and key supporter of opposition leader María Corina Machado, was reportedly taken by armed men in Caracas just hours after his release from detention, according to family members and opposition allies. The incident raises alarm about increasing pressure on government critics amid a broader debate over prisoner releases and political freedoms in Venezuela.
Sudden Abduction After Release
Guanipa, who had spent more than eight months in detention on charges including alleged terrorism and incitement, was freed on 8 February 2026 as part of a series of political prisoner releases in the country. Shortly after participating in post-release activities in the Los Chorros neighbourhood of Caracas, sources say he was intercepted around midnight by a group of approximately ten heavily armed and unidentified individuals.
His son, Ramón Guanipa, shared details on social media that the group arrived in multiple vehicles, including a silver Toyota Corolla, a white Range Rover and a Renault Symbol, and forcibly took his father from the scene. Family members and Machado’s party have demanded immediate proof of life and urgent action from the international community.
Political Context and Reactions
María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent opposition leader, denounced the incident as a violent abduction, condemning the dramatic turn of events shortly after what many hoped would be a step toward political reconciliation. Prior to his disappearance, Guanipa had called for respect for democratic processes and engagement in future elections.
Human rights groups continue to express concern over the Venezuelan government’s handling of its critics, with recent prisoner releases seen as limited amid widespread allegations of continued political persecution. The situation has intensified scrutiny of claims that dissidents remain at risk even following official release orders.
