The alarm came from inside Argentine Embassy in Caracason this Saturday afternoon. Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli -one of you are leaders close to the opponent Maria Corina Machado what they bring eight-month-old refugees there – denounced the presence of forces of the Nicolás Maduro regime in the vicinity of the diplomatic headquarters. ”Drones fly above“, he reported, minute after minute, from social networks.
After Chavista’s presidential self-proclamation, the diplomatic building was under Brazilian control, with asylum seekers inside. The opposition leader – one of those persecuted by Maduro – targeted the DAET (the Bolivarian National Police) and the Sebin (the fearsome Bolivarian National Intelligence Service) for their presence near the place of asylum, sharing vintimidating patrol ideas.
He spoke of the presence of “officials”. hooded DAET men with long weapons“and he also denounced this it was blocked the sign of Internet and mobile data in the area.
URGENT!!! November 23, 6.50pm / Hooded DAET officials armed with long weapons once again besiege the Brazilian-protected Argentine embassy residence in Caracas. They surround the diplomatic headquarters and block access to the roads. pic.twitter.com/LgqATH3SHF
— Pietro Urruchurtu Noselli (@Urruchurtu) November 23, 2024
Two hours after his first reports, Urruchurtu Noselli, who has taken refuge in the embassy since March 20, provided a new report on drones and social network signals cell phone blocked“, he wrote in the message, accompanied by a video in which a patrol can be seen outside the building.
‼️ The siege situation continues at 8.40pm on November 23, at the residence of the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, protected by Brazil. Hooded agents, drones and cell phone signals are blocked. pic.twitter.com/dyVmfeSgL0
— Pietro Urruchurtu Noselli (@Urruchurtu) November 24, 2024
The episode had the reaction of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairswho condemned the siege from his official social media accounts.
The Republic of Argentina condemns the acts of harassment and intimidation against asylum seekers at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, currently under the diplomatic protection of the Brazilian Government.
The deployment of armed forces, the closure of roads around…
— Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇦🇷 (@Cancilleria_Ar) November 24, 2024
This is the third “siege” reported by Urruchurtu outside the Argentine residence, whose protection was assumed last August by Brazil after the expulsion of Argentine diplomats from Venezuela in the same month.
In addition to Urruchurtu, Magalli Meda, head of the campaign for the presidential elections, is also present in the Argentine embassy; Claudia Macero, VV Communication Coordinator; Omar González, former deputy; Humberto Villalobos, electoral coordinator of the VV Campaign Command, and former minister Fernando Martínez Mottola, advisor to the opposition United Democratic Platform.
The Government has condemned the siege of the Argentine embassy in Caracas
“The Argentine Republic condemns the acts of harassment and intimidation against people seeking asylum at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, currently under the diplomatic protection of the Brazilian government,” read a statement from the Diplomatic Portfolio.
“The deployment of armed troops, the closure of roads around our Embassy and other maneuvers constitute a security disturbance that must be guaranteed to diplomatic premises in accordance with international law, as well as to those who have requested diplomatic asylum,” he said the Ministry. under Gerard Werthein.
In this sense, the government made “an appeal to the international community to condemn these practices and demand the necessary safe conduct to allow asylum seekers to leave the country”.
The Farnesina reiterated its gratitude “to the government of Brazil for representing Argentine interests in Venezuela, assuming the protection of diplomatic offices, and for its efforts to guarantee the safety of asylum seekers against the harassment of the Venezuelan regime”.
And he concluded the statement with a message of “commitment to the defense of human rights, respect for international standards and the safety of those in asylum situations”.
What are the implications of the Argentine Embassy siege for international diplomatic relations in Latin America?
Interview between Time.news Editor and International Relations Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment on the ongoing situation at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas. Today, we are joined by Dr. Elena Ruiz, an expert in international relations and Latin American politics. Dr. Ruiz, thank you for being here.
Dr. Elena Ruiz: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical moment for Venezuelan politics, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss it.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Over the weekend, reports emerged from the Argentine Embassy in Caracas about a siege by forces affiliated with Nicolás Maduro’s regime. What can you tell us about the significance of this event?
Dr. Ruiz: This incident encapsulates the escalating tensions in Venezuela. The solidarity shown by Brazil in protecting the Argentine embassy is noteworthy, given that diplomatic missions should be sanctuaries. However, the presence of the DAET and Sebin forces near the embassy is a blatant violation of international diplomatic norms.
Editor: The opposition leader, Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli, reported the use of drones and armed officials around the embassy. What does this say about the Maduro government’s tactics?
Dr. Ruiz: The use of drones and armed personnel is indicative of a regime that is increasingly desperate to maintain control. By intimidating asylum seekers and threatening a diplomatic facility, Maduro is sending a clear message about his willingness to use force against dissent. It’s a stark reminder of how far the regime is willing to go to suppress opposition.
Editor: Speaking of suppression, the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned these actions. How effective can diplomatic statements be in such a volatile situation?
Dr. Ruiz: Condemnations from foreign ministries serve to rally international support and put pressure on regimes like Maduro’s, but their effectiveness is limited without concrete action. Ideally, we would see a coordinated international response to ensure the protection of those seeking asylum and to hold the Maduro regime accountable.
Editor: Urruchurtu also mentioned that they were experiencing disruptions to their mobile data and internet access. Why is this relevant?
Dr. Ruiz: Controlling information flow is a classic tactic employed by authoritarian regimes. By disrupting communications, the Maduro government can isolate those inside the embassy and prevent them from sharing their plight with the outside world. This not only suppresses domestic dissent but also aims to dissuade international solidarity efforts.
Editor: This is not the first siege reported by Urruchurtu; it appears to be a growing pattern. What does this say about the environment for political dissidents in Venezuela?
Dr. Ruiz: The fact that this is the third reported siege highlights the systematic persecution faced by political dissidents in Venezuela. It underscores a climate of fear where opposition figures need to seek refuge in foreign embassies to escape state-sponsored violence. This is indicative of a broader crisis of governance and human rights in Venezuela.
Editor: What do you think are the potential next steps for the international community in response to this situation?
Dr. Ruiz: The international community needs to increase diplomatic pressure on Maduro’s regime, potentially through sanctions and heightened diplomatic efforts. Also, there should be discussions surrounding asylum seekers and how to enhance their protection. Initiating an international dialog that includes neighboring countries like Brazil would be beneficial to coordinate a unified response.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz, for your insights on this complex situation. It’s crucial to stay informed and engaged as these events unfold.
Dr. Ruiz: My pleasure. I hope more people continue to pay attention to Venezuela’s struggles, as they have significant implications not just for the region but for global democracy.
Editor: This has been a compelling discussion. We’ll continue to monitor the developments at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas and the broader situation in Venezuela. Thank you for joining us.
