Five Venezuelan opponents arrive in the US after a year refugees in Argentine embassy in Caracas

Five Venezuelan opponents arrived in the United States on Tuesday after more than a year refugees at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

«The US celebrates the successful rescue of all hostages held by the regime of (Nicolás) Maduro,» Rubio wrote in X.

«Everyone is now safe in American territory,» said the Secretary of State and said that «Maduro’s illegitimate regime has undermined Venezuelan institutions, violated human rights and endangered our regional security.»

The opponents, who remained since March 2024 at the diplomatic headquarters, were sought by the Venezuelan government for supposedly promoting acts of violence. During that time, they denounced harassment and service cuts by the Maduro regime.

So far the Venezuelan authorities have not issued statements. Meanwhile, the opposition leader María Corina Machado described the «impeccable and epic» operation.

«My recognition and infinite thanks to all who made it possible. We are going to free each of our 900 imprisoned heroes for this tyranny already 30 million Venezuelans,» Machado wrote on the social network X.

The five refugee opponents are Pedro Urruchurtu, Humberto Villalobos, Claudia Macero, Omar González and Magalí Meda, members of the team near Machado.

Cuban American congressman Mario Díaz-Balart also thanked Donald Trump for the effort made.

«I’m glad these people are now safe in US territory, free of the cruel and oppressive control of the Maduro regime,» he said.

The president of the president of Argentina issued a statement on Tuesday in which he thanks all those involved in the rescue «and especially the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for his personal commitment in this operation, which has made it possible for these true heroes to finally recover their freedom.»

«This action represents an important step in defense of freedom in the region,» says the text.