Argentina's Foreign Ministry has expressed grave concern over worsening conditions at its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. Six opposition leaders, who sought refuge there months ago to escape political persecution under Nicolás Maduro's regime, are facing deteriorating circumstances. Officials have labeled the situation as "grave and alarming," urging international intervention to ensure their safety.
In a public statement, Argentina's Foreign Ministry called for international intervention, urging the United Nations and the Organization of American States to pressure Maduro's regime to issue safe-conduct passes. These documents would allow the asylum-seekers to leave Venezuela safely, avoiding the imminent risk of arrest or harm. The statement was accompanied by the hashtag #SafePassageNow, underscoring the urgency of the appeal.
The Argentine Foreign Ministry expresses its deepest concern over the alarming and grave situation at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, where the lives of six asylum-seekers face imminent danger. We demand that Maduro's regime immediately issue safe-conduct passes to ensure their secure departure. We call on the @UN, @OAS_official, and all nations to take strong and urgent action. #SafePassageNow
- Argentina's Foreign Ministry
Who Are the Asylum-Seekers?
The embassy is currently sheltering six Venezuelan opposition figures: Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli, Humberto Villalobos, Claudia Macero, Omar González, Fernando Martínez, and Mottola Magalí Meda. All are closely linked to opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, recently recognized by the Biden Administration as Venezuela's legitimate president-elect.
Despite their protected status, the group faces extreme hardship, including restricted access to food, water, and electricity. Witness reports, shared by Infobae and opposition lawyer Tomás Arias, reveal that the embassy has been effectively cut off from essential supplies.
Maduro's government has accused the asylum-seekers of crimes like conspiracy and treason, labeling them threats to national security.
Deteriorating Conditions and Legal Violations
On November 30, Pedro Urruchurtu, one of the asylum-seekers, shared alarming updates on social media, calling the situation "a blatant violation of international law and right to asylum." He reported increased police presence around the embassy, threats of forced entry, and drones surveilling the property. The building's limited power comes from a small generator, which struggles to keep basic food refrigerated, and water supplies are dwindling, per Infobae.
"We are still without electricity, and access to potable water is being blocked. The water tank has just been emptied after rationing what little was left," Urruchurtu's last social media post read.
30NOV/6:55PM: Una semana de asedio continuo a la Embajada de Argentina en Caracas, bajo custodia de Brasil, mientras funcionarios siguen afuera. Seguimos sin electricidad e impiden acceso de agua potable.
— Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli (@Urruchurtu) November 30, 2024
‼️Se acaba de vaciar el tanque de agua, luego de racionar la que quedaba.
Increased International Pressure
The crisis has drawn international attention, with Argentina leading calls for action. Argentina has been a vocal critic of Maduro, denouncing electoral fraud in Venezuela's presidential elections earlier this year. In July, the Maduro government ordered Argentine diplomats to vacate the embassy, leaving the six asylum-seekers with limited support. Efforts to transfer them to other embassies have so far failed.
The Biden Administration has also weighed in, condemning the persecution of the asylum-seekers and urging Venezuela to issue safe-conduct passes.
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