Argentina confirmed, this Tuesday (26), that it is giving asylum to opposition political leaders in the official residence of its embassy in Caracas and expressed “concern” about the cut in electricity supply to the diplomatic headquarters last Monday (25).
In a statement, Casa Rosada warned the Venezuelan government “about any deliberate action that endangers the safety of the Argentine diplomatic team and Venezuelan citizens under protection.”
The Argentine government also recalled that it is the obligation of the State receiving diplomatic missions to safeguard them from “invasion or damage and preserve its tranquility and dignity”.
Argentine government sources confirmed to CNN who are giving asylum to six opponents who have an arrest warrant.
“These are persecuted leaders who needed protection”, they explained. “We are not an opposition focus in Caracas, we are only acting in an effective exercise to protect human rights”, they clarified.
The text of the statement, issued by President Javier Milei's office, explains that the reception of opponents was granted under the support of the inviolability guaranteed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, of which both countries are signatories.
The Argentine statement also “expresses its concern regarding the deterioration of the institutional situation and acts of intimidation and persecution against political figures in Venezuela.”
In the text, there is still a request from Milei for President Nicolás Maduro to “guarantee the security and well-being of the Venezuelan people and call for transparent, free, democratic and competitive elections, without proscriptions of any kind”.
Several arrest warrants have been issued in recent weeks by the Venezuelan Public Ministry after reports of alleged conspiracy plans against Maduro and the governor of the state of Táchira, Freddy Bernal.
Among those arrested are seven members of the Vente political movement, led by María Corina Machado. Another seven collaborators of the opposition leader have an arrest warrant.
Argentina has been without an ambassador in Caracas since the beginning of the Milei government, which said it would not interact with communists.
Tension between the countries has escalated since February, when a Venezuelan aircraft that was detained at Ezeiza International Airport, in Greater Buenos Aires, was confiscated and handed over to the United States. Caracas described the action as a “brazen robbery”.
In retaliation, Venezuela banned Argentine aircraft from flying over its airspace.
The spokesperson for the Argentine presidency, Manuel Adorni, called the Chavista rulers “friends of terrorism” and the Venezuelan chancellor, Yván Gil, called the Milei government “neo-Nazi”, as well as “submissive and obedient to its imperial master”, in reference to Argentina's current relationship with the United States.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
