Liberal International welcomes the liberation of five Venezuelan opposition leaders – members of Vente Venezuela, LI’s full member party – who were safely evacuated from the Argentine embassy in Caracas to the United States this week, following a bold and decisive international operation.
Luz Poblete, LI Vice President from Evópoli Chile, issued the following statement on behalf of the federation:
“Liberal International is overjoyed that freedom for our liberal colleagues, including Pedro Urruchurtu – who sits as a member of our human rights committee – has finally been won. As was evident from our 64th Congress in Santiago de Chile last December, Liberals worldwide are united in their support for Venezuela’s liberal-democratic opposition and stand firmly against the tyranny of the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro.
Today is a step forward—but the reality is that more than 900 political prisoners remain unjustly detained in Venezuela. For them, we will continue our mission to demand democratic change.”
The group had taken refuge in March 2024 to avoid politically motivated detention, a stark example of the ongoing repression targeting pro-democracy voices in Venezuela. Their rescue marks a rare and critical breakthrough in the fight to protect liberal values in one of the world’s most authoritarian regimes.
This successful operation is a testament to the power of international solidarity and pressure, but it also underscores the urgent need for broader, sustained action. Maduro’s regime remains a threat to human rights and democratic freedoms—not only within Venezuela, but across the region.
Liberal International reaffirms its unwavering support for María Corina Machado and her continued leadership in the fight to restore democracy, dignity, and justice to Venezuela. Her courage and commitment embody the very spirit of liberal resistance against tyranny.
Liberal International renews its call to governments, international organisations, and civil society to stand firmly with Venezuela’s liberal-democratic forces and to hold the Maduro regime accountable for its crimes.
