María Corina Machado is a prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition. She has reported that one of her closest associates, Juan Pablo Guanipa, was abducted. This occurred mere hours after his release from prison.
According to Machado, heavily armed men dressed in civilian attire arrived in four vehicles. They forcibly took Guanipa away. This prompted her to demand his immediate release via a post on social media platform X.
Guanipa is widely recognised as a key ally of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado. He had been detained in Caracas since his arrest in May 2025. Authorities accused him of orchestrating a terrorist plot. The plot aimed at sabotaging the legislative elections held that same month. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello made this claim.
His son, Ramon Guanipa, shared a video online describing the incident as an ambush involving ten heavily armed, unidentified individuals. Prior to his second detention, Guanipa posted about his release. The post showed police officers and armoured vehicles in the vicinity.
“There is much to discuss about the present and future of Venezuela. Always keep the truth at the forefront,” Guanipa stated on social media, shortly before his re-arrest.
On the same day, the prisoner rights group Foro Penal confirmed that 18 individuals were released. The group said it was working to verify additional cases. Among those freed were several local organisers from Machado’s political movement. Her attorney, Perkins Rocha, was also released. These details are according to statements from her organisation.
Machado expressed her resolve, posting on X: “Let’s go for the freedom of Venezuela!” and sharing photographs of those released celebrating with their families. “We will not rest until every single political prisoner is freed and until all of them return home,” she added.
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role following the US capture of former president Nicolás Maduro. She faces mounting pressure to release hundreds of political detainees. Rodríguez’s government has consistently denied holding individuals for political reasons. They insist that all those imprisoned have committed crimes under Venezuelan law.
On 08/01/2026, the government announced plans to release a significant number of prisoners. This decision was a response to demands from opposition groups and human rights organisations. It was also bolstered by calls from the United States. However, both rights watchdogs and families of detainees have criticised the slow pace of these releases.
Foro Penal previously confirmed the release of 383 political prisoners since the January announcement. However, the government has yet to provide a comprehensive list or details of those awaiting release.
