CARACAS: A senior ally of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was placed under house arrest on Tuesday, just hours after being freed from prison.
Juan Pablo Guanipa, a former vice president of the National Assembly, had been released on Sunday after spending more than eight months in detention on charges frequently used against government critics, including terrorism, money laundering, and incitement to violence. His release came as part of a broader deal announced by interim leader Delcy Rodríguez following the removal of Nicolás Maduro in January.
During his brief freedom, the 61-year-old met families of other detained activists, joined a motorcycle caravan through Caracas, protested outside the notorious Helicoide prison, and called for fresh elections.
Authorities later said he had breached his parole conditions, leading to his re-detention. His son, Ramón Guanipa, confirmed that his father had been placed under house arrest in Maracaibo, calling it “continued imprisonment” and demanding his full release along with that of all political prisoners.
The move drew sharp criticism from Machado, who described Guanipa’s re-arrest as a “kidnapping,” while U.S. officials warned of serious consequences.
The incident has heightened tensions as Venezuela’s parliament prepares to vote on an amnesty bill covering political detainees and officials involved in their imprisonment during nearly three decades of rule under Maduro and Hugo Chávez.
Relatives of prisoners gathered outside the National Assembly on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to pass the bill immediately, chanting “Amnesty now!” while riot police stood by. The vote has been postponed to Thursday, though it remains unclear whether it will proceed.
Rights groups say hundreds of dissidents remain jailed despite recent releases. According to Foro Penal, 426 people have been freed since the change in leadership — a number families say is still far from sufficient.
