Rubio announces evacuation of Venezuelan opposition figures to US

WASHINGTON

Five Venezuelan opposition members who had sheltered for over a year at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas are now in the US, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday.

"The U.S. welcomes the successful rescue of all hostages held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas," Rubio wrote on X, adding that "following a precise operation, all hostages are now safely on U.S. soil."

He did not elaborate on how the group left Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has not commented on the incident.

Rubio thanked all personnel involved in the operation and reiterated US criticism of President Nicolas Maduro’s government, which he accused of violating human rights and endangering regional security.

Argentina’s government allowed the five into the ambassador’s residence in March 2024 after Venezuelan authorities issued arrest warrants accusing them of promoting violence to destabilize the country. The group included the campaign manager and communications director of opposition leader María Corina Machado.

Machado hailed the mission as an “impeccable and epic operation for the Freedom of five heroes of Venezuela” in a message posted on X.