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Venezuelan Opposition Figure Juan Pablo Guanipa Freed, Then Seized, Now Under House Arrest

The case underscores disputed, conditional prisoner releases under the interim government.

Overview

  • Juan Pablo Guanipa is under house arrest in Maracaibo, his son said, calling it unjust and insisting he remains a political prisoner.
  • Prosecutors said they asked a court to revoke his release for alleged noncompliance and to assign house arrest, without disclosing the conditions he purportedly violated.
  • Guanipa had been freed Sunday after more than eight months in custody on charges including terrorism and money laundering tied to an alleged election plot, which he and allies deny.
  • His family and opposition leader María Corina Machado said heavily armed men in civilian clothes seized him hours after his release, describing the incident as a kidnapping.
  • Rights group Foro Penal reports hundreds have been freed since January and confirmed about 35 releases on Sunday, while authorities tout higher totals as lawmakers advance an amnesty bill.