Background on María Corina Machado and Vente Venezuela
María Corina Machado is a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. She is the founder and president of Vente Venezuela, a political party that aims to promote democratic change in Venezuela. Machado has been a vocal critic of the current government, led by President Nicolás Maduro.
Arrest of Vente Venezuela Coordinator
On Monday, agents from Venezuela’s intelligence service detained Melquiades Pulido García, the public management coordinator of Vente Venezuela. The arrest was announced by the party on social media, stating that Pulido García was taken by the Sebin (Bolivarian National Intelligence Service) while walking in Caracas.
Health Concerns and Demands for Release
Pulido García suffers from Parkinson’s disease and requires specialized medical care to prevent cardiac issues due to his blood clotting condition. Vente Venezuela has demanded his immediate release, along with all political prisoners, citing the urgent need for medical attention.
Political Prisoners in Venezuela
According to the Foro Penal Venezolano (Venezuelan Penal Forum), a human rights NGO, there are at least 889 political prisoners in Venezuela. The organization, along with human rights defenders, has reported patterns of systematic political persecution, including arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances.
UN Experts’ Warning on Political Persecution
In September, a team of UN experts warned of an escalation in political persecution in Venezuela over the past few months. The experts highlighted increased arrests and harassment of opposition members, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Recent Arrests by the Sebin
The Sebin has recently detained other high-profile individuals, including:
- José Elías Torres, coordinator general of the country’s main trade union, on November 29;
- Nicmer Evans, director of the digital news outlet Punto de Corte, on December 7.
Families’ Call for Release of Political Prisoners
On Sunday, a group representing around 900 political prisoners demanded the release of their loved ones for the holidays.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is María Corina Machado? María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize nominee who founded and leads the political party Vente Venezuela.
- What is Vente Venezuela? Vente Venezuela is a political party founded by María Corina Machado, aiming to promote democratic change in Venezuela.
- Why is Melquiades Pulido García’s arrest significant? Pulido García’s arrest is significant due to his health conditions, which require specialized medical care, and the fact that he is a coordinator in Vente Venezuela, a prominent opposition party.
- How many political prisoners are there in Venezuela? According to the Foro Penal Venezolano, there are at least 889 political prisoners in Venezuela.
- What has the UN said about political persecution in Venezuela? UN experts have warned of an escalation in political persecution in Venezuela, citing increased arrests and harassment of opposition members, journalists, and human rights defenders.
