Veteran Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa is now under house arrest in the city of Maracaibo, his son confirmed, after authorities took him into custody only hours following his release from a prolonged detention earlier this week.
Quick Recapture After Release
Guanipa, a prominent ally of opposition leader María Corina Machado, had been freed from a Caracas detention center after more than eight months in custody. However, reports indicate that armed men seized him hours later in the capital, leading to his confinement at his family home in the oil-rich state of Zulia.
His son, Ramón Guanipa, shared on social media that his father was now restricted to house arrest, emphasizing to supporters that “house arrest is still imprisonment.”
Government Says Conditions Were Violated
Officials say Guanipa’s brief freedom was revoked because he allegedly failed to follow the terms of his release, which reportedly included regular court check-ins and limitations on travel. The specifics of alleged violations have not been publicly detailed.
Opposition members and human rights advocates, however, strongly contest these claims, dubbing the re-arrest politically motivated.
Amid Ongoing Political Tensions
Guanipa’s ordeal comes amid a broader context of political upheaval in Venezuela as authorities move to release some political prisoners following external pressure. Critics note that while dozens have been freed, many remain behind bars under disputed conditions, fueling ongoing concerns about democratic freedoms and the rule of law in the country.
