Argentine Diplomatic Residence in Caracas: A "Prison" for Venezuelan Opposition Members

Five Venezuelan opposition members, taking refuge in the Argentine diplomatic residence in Caracas to avoid arrest, describe their situation as living in a "prison."

The residence has been without electricity for over a month, which opposition adviser Magalli Meda called a violation of human rights. The Venezuelan government attributes the power outage to unpaid bills.

The opposition members have been sheltered in the residence since March, following arrest warrants. This development comes amid contested July presidential elections, with both President Nicolas Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez claiming victory. While Gonzalez has fled to Spain, Maria Corina Machado, barred from running in the election, remains in hiding.

Argentina and Peru have recognized the opposition's electoral claims, straining diplomatic relations with Venezuela. Argentina is also embroiled in a separate feud with Venezuela over the detention of an Argentine security officer, accused by Maduro's government of involvement in a right-wing terrorist plot.