Authorities in Venezuela have detained the head of security for the country's top opposition leader, just over a week before President Nicolás Maduro's upcoming reelection. The arrest of Milciades Ávila was made on allegations of violence against women, as claimed by former lawmaker María Corina Machado.
The incident leading to Ávila's arrest occurred during a confrontation between Maduro supporters and Machado's aides at a roadside restaurant outside Caracas. Videos circulating on social media captured the heated exchange, prompting the arrest on what Machado described as fabricated charges.
Machado, who was barred from running against Maduro despite winning an opposition primary last year, is currently campaigning alongside a substitute candidate, Edmundo González, a retired diplomat unfamiliar to most Venezuelans.
Expressing concern over the escalating repression against her campaign team, Machado highlighted Ávila's dedication and emphasized the risks he took to support her. She also raised awareness about the recent wave of detentions targeting individuals associated with the opposition campaign in various states across Venezuela.
Notably, the owner of a sound truck hired by Machado and González during a rally in Valencia was among those detained. Despite these developments, there has been no official response from Maduro's government regarding the arrests.
The situation underscores the ongoing political tensions in Venezuela as the country prepares for a crucial electoral period. The opposition's efforts to challenge Maduro's leadership continue to face obstacles, with allegations of repression and intimidation adding to the already complex political landscape.
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