The Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia denounced this Thursday from Spain that six members of the opposition who are taking refuge in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas are being victims of the “siege by police officials stationed outside the residence.”
“Six people who are under protection at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, currently under protection of the Government of Brazil, face cuts in electricity supply, extreme restrictions on access to food, water and essential goods, in addition to the pressure from the siege of police officers stationed outside the residence,” gonzález Urrutia said in a video.
For González, these actions ”not only violate fundamental rights, but also international agreements on diplomatic protection and refuge.” “We demand respect for humanity and International Law“, he concluded.
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This comes after the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs,headed by Gerardo Werthein,denounced on Sunday a wide deployment of armed troops in its diplomatic legation in Caracasas well as the closure of surrounding streets,among other “maneuvers.”
Venezuela denied the siege and harassment of the Argentine embassy: “I don’t know what Milei accuses us of”
The Argentine Foreign ministry denounced “acts of harassment and intimidation” against its embassy and demanded that venezuela issue “the necessary safe-conducts” so that the opposition taking refuge in the diplomatic headquarters can leave the country.
“The deployment of armed forces,the closure of streets around our embassy and other maneuvers constitute a disturbance of security,” the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement,which also denounced power cuts.
Brazil announced in August that it was assuming custody of Argentina’s diplomatic delegation with permission from Caracas, which revoked its decision a month later.
The government of Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva, which also refused to recognize Maduro as the winner of the presidential election, later said it would continue to defend Argentina’s interests.
The international affairs coordinator of gonzález Urrutia’s party,Pedro Urruchurtu – who is taking refuge in the building – assured that the authorities had blocked the mobile signal and flew over the legation with drones,in addition to besieging it with armed officials.
Maduro and cabello denounce “another destabilization plan”, a common pretext for arresting opponents
The Minister of the Interior of Venezuela, Diosdado Cabello, denied on Monday that authorities were besieging the Argentine embassy, where six collaborators of the opposition leader María Corina Machado, including her campaign manager, Magalli Meda, have been taking refuge as March.
“Javier Milei is the fascist who governs Argentina (…). I don’t know what he calls it when someone is being harassed in his embassy.“I don’t know, I really don’t know what he’s accusing us of now,” Cabello said at the weekly press conference
“Let them pay for the electricity, let them pay for the services, we are not going to give them anything.“, Minister Cabello ironically said.
Cabello stated that “impunity is over in Venezuela” in reference to Machado, whom he described as a “terrorist” and who is in hiding after denouncing fraud in Maduro’s re-election on July 28.
“Impunity is over for the terrorist María Corina“, for the terrorists who accompany it, for those who are generating violence, for those who ask for sanctions (from the United States against Venezuela),” Cabello said.
Giorgia Meloni recognized Edmundo González as elected president of Venezuela and condemned Maduro’s “brutal repression”
Nicolás Maduro was proclaimed re-elected president of Venezuela for a third consecutive period (2025-31) in the July 28 elections, a result endorsed by the Supreme Court of Justice although the detailed vote count has not yet been published, as established by the law.
His re-election is repudiated by the opposition led by María Corina Machado, who claims to have a copy of more than 80% of the voting records that she published on a website to demonstrate the triumph of her candidate Edmundo González Urrutia.
Maduro’s proclamation sparked protests in which 27 people died, including these two soldiersand 200 were injured. There were some 2,400 detainees, of them 164 minors. In November the court agreed to the release of 225 prisoners, most of them with precautionary measures.
The United States, the European Union and most Latin American countries ignored Maduro’s re-election.Washington recognized González Urrutia as “elected president” of Venezuela in November, a step later followed by Ecuador and Italy.
Maduro announced that he will assume his new mandate on January 10 and González Urrutia also declared that he will take the oath of office that same day in Venezuela.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Edmundo González Urrutia
Editor: Welcome, Edmundo González Urrutia.It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Let’s dive into the situation concerning those currently seeking refuge at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas.Can you describe the conditions they are living under?
González Urrutia: Thank you for having me. The situation is dire. Currently, there are six members of the opposition taking refuge at the embassy. They are facing severe challenges, including cuts in electricity, extreme restrictions on food, water, and essential supplies. Additionally, they are enduring psychological pressure due to the police siege outside, which is a blatant violation of their essential rights.
Editor: It sounds incredibly distressing. You’ve mentioned that these actions are a violation of international agreements. can you elaborate on which specific agreements you believe have been breached?
González Urrutia: Certainly. The treatment of individuals seeking refuge violates the principles of diplomatic protection outlined in international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. By besieging the embassy and restricting access to basic needs, the Venezuelan government is not only infringing on human rights but also disregarding established protocols for the protection of asylum seekers.
Editor: What has been the response of the Venezuelan government to these accusations?
González urrutia: The Venezuelan government has denied the allegations of harassment and siege. They claim that there is no intimidation taking place. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story, as evidenced by the armed troops deployed around the embassy and the closure of streets, effectively trapping those seeking refuge.
Editor: Considering this situation, how should the international community respond? What actions can they take to support those at risk?
González Urrutia: The international community must take a stand. Firstly, they should apply diplomatic pressure on the Venezuelan government to respect international law and humanitarian principles. Additionally, it is crucial to demand safe-conducts for those within the embassy so they can leave the country without fear of retaliation. Solidarity among nations is more important now than ever.
Editor: The Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also raised concerns about the security situation. What do you hope their government will do next?
González Urrutia: I hope the Argentine government continues to advocate strongly for the safety of the individuals within its embassy. They need to ensure that international standards for diplomatic missions are upheld and actively work with the global community to resolve this crisis. Their actions can set a precedent for how similar situations are handled globally.
editor: The plight of these opposition members is heartbreaking.What message do you want to convey to those who might not fully understand the severity of this situation?
González Urrutia: I want to emphasize that the struggle for democracy is not just a Venezuelan issue; it is a human issue. Their plight represents a broader fight for freedom and humanity that transcends borders. I urge everyone to stand up for the values of human rights and international law.We must demand respect for these principles at all levels.
Editor: Thank you, Edmundo. This is a crucial conversation, and we appreciate your insights into such a pressing matter.
González Urrutia: Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we continue to shed light on these issues and push for justice and accountability.
