Venezuela's government under President Nicolás Maduro has recently intensified its crackdown on alleged conspiracies targeting him and his inner circle. Since January, over 30 individuals, including a prominent human rights attorney and staff members of the leading opposition presidential candidate, have been arrested in connection with these alleged plots.
The government claims these arrests are necessary to prevent attacks on military installations, assassination attempts on officials, and destabilization of the country. Attorney General Tarek William Saab has presented alleged confessions, planning documents, and other items as evidence of these plots.
The latest arrests on Wednesday targeted nine individuals working with the opposition's campaign, accused of participating in a destabilizing plot involving demonstrations and plans to attack military barracks. This move has raised concerns about political repression and the stifling of opposition voices ahead of the upcoming presidential election on July 28.
The opposition candidate, barred from running for office for 15 years, continues to push forward with her campaign, despite several of her staffers being detained over their alleged involvement in the government-claimed plots. The government's actions have drawn criticism from international bodies and human rights organizations.
The U.S. government has been accused by Maduro of being behind the alleged assassination attempts. The recent arrests come amid escalating tensions and concerns about the fairness of the electoral process in Venezuela.
The international community, including the U.S., has called for the immediate release of those unjustly detained and emphasized the need for a more democratic and transparent electoral process in Venezuela.
