Five Venezuelan Opposition Members Successfully Rescued from Caracas Embassies

In a dramatic turn of events, five Venezuelan opposition politicians, who had taken refuge in the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas amid government threats, have been brought to the US in a "successful rescue" operation, as announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The officials, under threat from the Maduro regime, were surrounded by Venezuelan forces last year, prompting their desperate sanctuary. Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader, expressed gratitude for the safe passage of the five, calling the operation "epic." The Argentinian government played a role in facilitating this rescue, expressing their appreciation to the US for the safe extraction. The identity of those rescued includes Magalli Meda, Pedro Urruchurtu, Omar Gonzalez, Humberto Villalobos, and Claudia Macero; however, details about how the operation was executed remain undisclosed.

The US and international observers have long criticized the Maduro administration for its aggressive tactics towards dissidents, calling for the respecting of humanitarian laws.