Head of Security for Venezuelan Opposition Leader Detained Ahead of Presidential Election
In a dramatic turn of events, the head of security for Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been detained, sparking outrage among members of their party. Milciades Ávila was reportedly taken away from the house where he was staying in the capital, Caracas, by members of the Venezuelan security forces, according to the Vente Venezuela opposition party.
This latest arrest comes amidst a crackdown on opposition activists in the lead-up to the presidential election scheduled for 28 July, where the opposition hopes to unseat the incumbent, Nicolás Maduro. The government and security forces have not yet provided any explanation for Ávila’s detention or disclosed his whereabouts.
María Corina Machado took to social media to reveal that Ávila had been accused of gender violence, linking his arrest to an incident involving a group of women who allegedly attempted to attack her and the opposition presidential candidate she supports, Edmundo González. Machado described the incident as a deliberate provocation aimed at leaving her “without protection” just days before the election.
The opposition has long complained of harassment and intimidation by the authorities, with dozens of campaign members being arrested on various charges. Restaurant and food stall owners have also reported their businesses being shut down after serving opposition leaders, with the government citing paperwork irregularities as the reason.
Human rights organization Foro Penal has documented over 100 detentions of individuals linked to the opposition in the lead-up to the election, denouncing it as a systematic violation of Venezuelan citizens’ rights. Despite opinion polls showing Edmundo González in a commanding lead over President Maduro, concerns remain about potential election tampering.
The opposition coalition led by María Corina Machado is urging supporters to turn out and vote, emphasizing the importance of unity behind their candidate to prevent any fraudulent activities. The 2018 election, in which Maduro was re-elected, was widely criticized for lacking transparency and fairness, fueling skepticism about the upcoming election’s legitimacy.
