Venezuela opposition leader Guanipa under arrest

24/5/2025 6:32

Well-known Venezuela opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa, a close ally of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, is under arrest forallegedly leading a terrorist plot, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on Friday. Officials regularly accuse the opposition of conspiring with countries such as the United States to commit terrorism, overthrow President Nicolas Maduro and attack Venezuela's power grid. The opposition and Washington have always denied the

accusations.



Guanipa's arrest comes just days ahead of Venezuela's parliamentary elections.



Seventy people, including foreigners, have been detained in the alleged plot to carry out attacks during Sunday's regional and legislative elections, Cabello said, adding that Guanipa also faces charges of money laundering and inciting hatred.



Guanipa, a 60-year-old lawyer and long-time politician, had been in hiding since a presidential election last year. Machado, who was barred from running for president but remains popular among many Venezuelans, is also in hiding.