(Reuters)-US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that after an operation he described as “accurate”, all “detained” opponents in the Argentine residence in Caracas were rescued and are safe in US territory.
In a message in his X account, Rubio added that the United States celebrate the “successful rescue” of the five Venezuelans, collaborators of the opposition leader María Corina Machado, who had been detained in the diplomatic residence since March 2024, after the prosecution accused them of conspiracy and issued arrest warrants against them.
Another opposition advisor who lived at the residence, Fernando Martínez, surrendered to the prosecution in December and died at his home in February, the opposition said.
Rubio gave no details about the operation, and Machado said in another publication on social networks that it was an “impeccable and epic” operation.
“We will free each of our 900 heroes arrested,” Machado added, referring to several politicians and activists who were arrested last year.
The departure of Machado’s employees from Argentina residence, who was under Brazilian guard after Buenos Aires cut off Caracas’ relations in July, occurred at the time President Nicolás Maduro is in Moscow for events in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Nazi victory in World War II.
The Brazilian government, which had been providing political protection to the embassy, said it had not been informed about the operation.
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Already Argentine President Javier Milei expressed his appreciation for the successful operation and thanked those involved, especially the US Secretary of State.
“The national government profoundly appreciates the efforts made to ensure the safety and well-being of those who have long been under Argentine protection against the persecution of Nicolás Maduro regime,” said the president’s office in X.
“This action represents an important step in defending freedom in the region,” he added.
The Ministry of Communications of Venezuela did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
