Venezuela Detains Activist Over Alleged Plot to Kill Maduro

Facts

• Venezuela confirmed on Sunday that the prominent human rights activist Rocío San Miguel was arrested Friday at an airport in Caracas over allegations that she was part of a conspiracy to kill Pres. Nicolás Maduro and other officials, as well as to attack the armed forces.¹
• Attorney General William Tarek Saab stated on Monday that the 57-year-old vocal critic of the government, whose whereabouts remain unknown, had appeared before a tribunal and was charged with 'treason, conspiracy and terrorism' among other counts.²
• San Miguel is said to have been detained alongside her daughter, father, two brothers and ex-husband, in what her legal team termed a 'forced disappearance.' Saab claimed that her ex-husband, who allegedly revealed state and military secrets, was also part of the so-called 'White Bracelet' conspiracy.³
• This comes a few weeks after 32 people, including civilians and military officers, were arrested for alleged roles in five thwarted plots that included the killing of Maduro. Additionally, 11 arrest warrants have been issued for activists living abroad and exiled military.⁴
• On Tuesday, White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed concern over reports that the head of the NGO Control Ciudadano and her relatives had been arrested, urging Caracas to meet commitments to improve the treatment of civil society and political activists.⁵
• The Biden administration in October agreed to temporarily ease sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector and other key industries in exchange for a fair presidential vote later this year. Yet, around 260 political prisoners are currently being held in the country, according to rights group Foro Penal.⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²BBC News, ³Barron's, ⁴Venezuelanalysis, ⁵Reuters and ⁶Yahoo Finance.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by UN News. The Venezuelan regime has stepped up its repression of dissent, instigating a wave of attacks on freedoms of expression, assembly, and peaceful association. Numerous cases exist of documented repression against trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, political leaders, and others who've voiced criticism of Pres. Nicolás Maduro. These are serious human rights violations that, rather than reflecting isolated incidents, indicate a policy of repression.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by teleSUR English. Despite US efforts to destabilize Venezuela, the Attorney General's Office's initiatives will assure that Venezuela executes the 2024 election process will full protection of its sovereignty and with guarantees of peace. Venezuela condemns such attempts to incite unrest and destabilize the country. With the most recent arrests, conspiracies aimed at President Nicolas Maduro and other top officials have been foiled.

Predictions