Argentina Shelters Venezuelan Opposition Leaders in Embassy

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Facts

  • The office of Argentina's Pres. Javier Milei confirmed at a press conference in Buenos Aires on Wednesday that Venezuelan 'opposition leaders' took refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas.1
  • Buenos Aires further warned Caracas against any deliberate action that could jeopardize the safety of its diplomatic personnel and the Venezuelan citizens under its protection.2
  • The facility reportedly had its power turned off on Monday after opposition figures were welcomed to a meeting focused on alleged 'acts of harassment and persecution' against them.3
  • While the individuals reportedly weren't named on security grounds, local media claim they were six politicians linked to Venezuela's main opposition leader María Corina Machado, who has been barred from holding office.4
  • On Wednesday, Machado's Unitary Platform (PUD) announced that Edmundo González had been enlisted as its 'provisional' candidate to challenge Nicolás Maduro, as Corina Yoris was reportedly blocked from registering for the vote.5
  • Running for re-election on July 28, Maduro denounced foreign interference in the country's internal affairs on Tuesday, claiming that terrorists allegedly linked to the opposition have planned to kill him.6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Buenos Aires Times, 3CNN, 4Reuters, 5BBC News and 6TeleSUR English.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Venezuelanalysis. By sheltering opposition figures in its embassy, the far-right populist Javier Milei has sided with the US in its quest to interfere in the Venezuelan elections. After Washington's puppet Juan Guaidó failed, it's now Machado who is tasked with bringing about neoliberal regime change. It's not Maduro who is undermining democracy in Venezuela, but Washington's policy of meddling and sanctions, which is not aimed at the well-being of the Venezuelan people.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Argentina's decision to grant protection to opposition leaders was justified and in line with international law. Emboldened by the easing of US sanctions, the Maduro regime launched a fresh campaign of arrests and harassment against opposition activists while driving his country to economic ruin. The socialist dictator wants only hand-picked rivals to run in the sham elections and the free world must remain on the side of the Venezuelan people and democracy.

Predictions