On Tuesday night, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a significant development regarding the hostages held by the Venezuelan government. The United States successfully rescued all five hostages from the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas, where they had been kept by the Maduro regime.
These hostages were members of the Venezuelan opposition. They sought refuge in the embassy back in March 2024 after facing arrest warrants from Maduro’s government. The authorities accused them of trying to undermine the regime. Reports indicated that since late November, they had been under constant surveillance by police and intelligence agents outside the embassy.
Rubio expressed relief over the successful rescue operation, stating that all hostages were now safely back on U.S. soil. He criticized Maduro’s government for its actions against human rights and regional stability. He also thanked the personnel involved in the operation and the partners who helped secure the hostages’ release.
The political situation in Venezuela has been tense, especially following the July 2024 presidential elections. While Maduro was declared the winner by the National Electoral Council, the opposition claimed victory. Argentine President Javier Milei has openly supported the opposition leader, Edmundo González Urrutia, calling him the "president-elect" of Venezuela. This declaration has further strained relations between Argentina and Venezuela.
Milei met with González Urrutia in January, where they discussed the political climate in Venezuela. After their meeting, Milei emphasized that Venezuela’s people wanted to end Maduro’s rule, calling for recognition of the opposition’s victory.
As the situation unfolds, the United States continues to take an active role in supporting the Venezuelan opposition and ensuring the safety of those who oppose Maduro’s regime. The recent rescue operation marks a notable moment in the ongoing struggle for democracy in Venezuela.