A member of the Vente Venezuela party, led by opposition leader María Corina Machado, was arrested this Saturday by the Intelligence Service (Sebin) after participating and speaking at a campaign event for the leader, they denounced the political team and an NGO.
“Óscar Castañeda was kidnapped by regime forces after participating in an event by María Corina Machado in Portuguesa (center)”, indicated the party in X, without the authorities having commented on the case so far.
The arrest is added to others that include those of seven campaign managers of the opposition, who are accused of alleged conspiratorial plans against the government. The arrest of seven others has also been requested, and the opposition has denounced “political persecution.”
Castañeda returned to the country 20 days ago after emigrating to Colombia. A video with a statement supporting Machado went viral the day before, when the opposition leader led a campaign event in the town of Turén in Portuguesa.
“I am one of the Venezuelans who came from Colombia defeated (…) I put my trust in María Corina Machado, and I want all of you to do the same,” said Castañeda in a brief intervention during the event.
Machado, favorite in the polls but ineligible for the elections presidential elections on July 28, has denounced a “brutal repression” against his campaign teams, after the arrest of members of his party.
“They are terrified of the people because all of Venezuela rejects them and will vote for change on July 28,” the party added.
The human rights NGO Provea called for Castañeda’s release. “One more case of persecution of dissent. Venezuelans want to vote. Criminalizing political activity is a violation of human rights,” the organization said.
The opposition has denounced obstacles and attacks facing the electoral process in July, after arrests of different activists and the disqualification of Machado.
The leader appointed a replacement, academic Corina Yoris, but her name could not be registered in the system. The electoral authority did not explain the reasons.
Finally, the opposition ended up registering the diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia, 74, who has Machado’s endorsement.
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© Agence France-Presse
