Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting with five Venezuelan opposition figures who recently fled from the Argentine ambassador's residence in Caracas. These individuals had sought refuge under the protection of the Brazilian government to escape persecution by what is described as the "illegitimate Maduro regime." Secretary Rubio praised these leaders for their courage against what he called "Maduro’s relentless repression and tyranny."
The Secretary expressed his appreciation for all parties involved in facilitating this operation and highlighted the determination of Maria Corina Machado, who continues her efforts within Venezuela. Furthermore, Rubio voiced concern over the recent arrest of opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa along with more than 70 others, attributing these actions to a new wave of repression.
In his statements, Secretary Rubio reiterated the United States' commitment to supporting democratic restoration in Venezuela. He also called for the release of political prisoners and emphasized the need for safe repatriation of arbitrarily detained Americans and other foreign nationals in Venezuela.
