- Security chief Milciades Ávila arrested on charges opposition claims are fabricated.
- Arrest follows a confrontation with Maduro supporters at a roadside restaurant.
- At least eight other opposition campaign workers have been detained recently.
The arrest of Milciades Ávila, the security chief for opposition leader María Corina Machado, has intensified the political climate in Venezuela just days before the presidential election. Machado claims Ávila’s arrest on charges of violence against women is part of a broader strategy by President Nicolás Maduro’s government to suppress the opposition.
Machado, who is barred from running herself and is campaigning for stand-in candidate Edmundo González, has warned of increasing repression by Maduro’s regime. She highlighted that in addition to Ávila, eight other opposition campaign workers have been detained across various states.
Venezuela’s Political Tensions Escalate with Arrest of Opposition Security Chief
The political situation in Venezuela is becoming increasingly fraught with the recent arrest of Milciades Ávila, the head of security for María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader. This arrest, on charges that Machado claims are false, occurred following a dispute with supporters of President Nicolás Maduro. Videos circulating on social media show a heated exchange at a roadside restaurant, which allegedly led to the charges.
Machado, unable to run for office due to a ban following her victory in an opposition-organized primary, continues to campaign across the country for her chosen candidate, Edmundo González. The arrest of Ávila and other opposition workers signals a broader effort by Maduro’s administration to stifle dissent and maintain control as the election nears.
In recent weeks, Machado has sounded the alarm on the increasing crackdown on her campaign staff, stating that eight additional members have been detained. These detentions, which span multiple states, include the owner of a sound truck used in a rally in Valencia, indicating a concerted effort to disrupt opposition activities.
The international community is closely watching the developments in Venezuela, as the government’s actions raise concerns about the fairness and freedom of the upcoming election. Machado’s call for global attention to Maduro’s repressive measures underscores the precarious state of democracy in the country.
As Venezuela approaches its presidential election, the arrest of opposition security chief Milciades Ávila and the ongoing crackdown on opposition workers highlight the increasing repression under President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The international community’s vigilance will be crucial in ensuring the election process is transparent and fair.
“I’m sending an alert to the entire world about the increasing repression by Maduro against our campaign workers.” – María Corina Machado
