Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Pablo Guanipa Arrested Ahead of Elections

Caracas, Venezuela – May 23, 2025: Venezuelan authorities have arrested prominent opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, a key ally of María Corina Machado, just two days before the country’s regional and parliamentary elections. The arrest, announced by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello on state television, has intensified already high tensions around the upcoming vote and drawn sharp condemnation from opposition figures and human rights groups.

Allegations of Terrorism and Election Sabotage

Cabello accused Guanipa of leading a “terrorist network” plotting to disrupt Sunday’s elections through attacks on critical infrastructure, including gas stations and hospitals. Authorities claim to have seized electronic devices and documents linking Guanipa to international funding and plans for violence, though no public evidence has been presented. Guanipa also faces charges of money laundering and inciting hatred, according to officials.

The government alleges that the opposition, with supposed foreign backing, is attempting to destabilize Venezuela and topple President Nicolás Maduro. Such accusations are routinely denied by opposition leaders, who argue that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.

Opposition Response and Guanipa’s Statement

In a prerecorded video released after his arrest, Guanipa, a 60-year-old lawyer and former vice president of the National Assembly, denounced his detention as a “kidnapping” by Maduro’s forces. “If you are seeing this, it is because I have been kidnapped by the regime. My time in hiding has come to an end,” he said, vowing that “we will win the long fight against the dictatorship”.

María Corina Machado, herself barred from running in last year’s presidential election and currently in hiding, condemned the arrest. She declared, “Every moment of our lives is dedicated to freeing Juan Pablo and all of Venezuela”.

Wider Crackdown and Election Context

Guanipa’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on the opposition following the disputed July 2024 presidential election, which the opposition claims was rigged in favor of Maduro. Official results have not been transparently released, while opposition figures insist their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won by a wide margin.

Since the election, at least 70 people, including Venezuelans and foreigners, have been detained in connection with the alleged plot to disrupt the upcoming vote. Human rights organizations report over 900 political prisoners in Venezuela, directly contradicting government claims that no prisoners of conscience exist.

Guanipa’s brother, Pedro, was also arrested in September 2024 on corruption charges related to his role in Maracaibo’s city government.

Outlook for Sunday’s Elections

The arrests and ongoing repression have fueled public distrust in Venezuela’s electoral system. Polls suggest low voter turnout is expected on Sunday, as the opposition continues to demand transparency and international recognition of their claimed victory in the 2024 presidential race.

The latest developments underscore the deepening political crisis in Venezuela, with the government and opposition locked in a struggle over the legitimacy of the country’s democratic institutions and the future of its leadership.