Venezuelan opposition denounces the kidnapping of activist and politician Jesús Armas in Caracas

Opposition entity Comando con VZLA denounced the kidnapping of one of their members, politician and activist Jesús Armas, Tuesday night.

Armas was reported missing after being kidnapped by hooded individuals in Caracas. This incident is the latest in a series of similar acts attributed to the Maduro regime, which has intensified the persecution of its opponents after the July presidential elections, in which the National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Maduro the winner, without having published until now. the results.

“His arrest is a clear example of the repression and persecution of the Nicolás Maduro regime against dissidence. We tell Maduro that this only shows how weak he is,” the organization said in a statement.

NICOLÁS MADURO DESAPARECIÓ AL LÍDER POLÍTICO Y ACTIVISTA JESÚS ARMAS

Su detención es un claro ejemplo de la represión y persecución del régimen de Nicolás Maduro contra la disidencia. A Maduro le decimos que esto solo demuestra lo débil que es.

Hoy en el día de los derechos… pic.twitter.com/xbmKdwHTy5

— Comando ConVzla (@ConVzlaComando) December 11, 2024

“Today, on human rights day, the dictatorship continues to arbitrarily detain anyone who thinks differently. “No more disappearances or human rights violations!” the organization said.

NGO Ciudadanía Sin Límites, of which Armas is director, confirmed his arrest and expressed that his whereabouts are not known at this time, highlighting the seriousness of the situation for human rights defenders in the country.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado denounced Armas' kidnapping and accused the regime of being responsible.

“He is a young leader, brave and committed to democracy and the freedom of Venezuela. This is a crime for tyranny. We will not rest until we free him and all Venezuelans,” Machado said.

Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), condemned Armas' detention on Wednesday and noted that "the Venezuelan regime is responsible for his life and well-being until he regains his freedom."

Armas’ disappearance has occurred one month before elected President Edmundo González is scheduled to return from Spain to take office on Jan. 10. He recently announced he will appoint Corina Machado as his vice president.

After the July 28 elections, tensions increased between the Maduro regime and the countries that have questioned the elections or even recognized González as president-elect.

Since then, Venezuela has experienced protests, reports of repression of opponents and vigils to demand the release of detainees.

NGO Foro Penal says that as of Dec. 2, there were 1,905 political prisoners in Venezuela: 1,863 adults and 42 minors.