Juan Pablo Guanipa, a key opposition figure in Venezuela closely associated with María Corina Machado, was released from a detention center in Caracas on Sunday after spending over eight months in custody. Guanipa shared the news in a video posted on the social media platform X, stating, "Today, we are being released. Much to discuss about the present and future of Venezuela, always with the truth at the forefront."
His imprisonment began in late May, when Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello alleged that Guanipa was part of a "terrorist group" accused of planning to disrupt the legislative elections held that month. These charges were challenged by Guanipa's brother, Tomás Guanipa, who decried the detention as an attempt to suppress opposition voices.
Tomás Guanipa emphasized that "thinking differently cannot be criminalized in Venezuela, and today, Juan Pablo Guanipa is a prisoner of conscience of this regime." He stated that his brother retains the right to his views, to defend his ideas, and to be treated in accordance with the constitution, which currently is not being respected.
The release of Juan Pablo Guanipa occurs amid growing domestic and international pressure on the administration of acting President Delcy Rodríguez to free individuals detained for extended periods under charges linked to their political beliefs, as reported by their families and human rights groups.
Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president following the capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. military forces last month. Her government had recently announced plans to release a significant number of prisoners, a key demand by the opposition and human rights advocates supported by the United States. However, these groups have voiced dissatisfaction with the slow implementation of the promised releases.
This development forms part of a broader political environment marked by discussions over detainee rights and constitutional adherence amid Venezuela's ongoing political upheaval.