Venezuelan police arrested a former opposition mayor, a move that coincided with democratic talks. Former Mayor Javier Oropeza of Torres in Lara state was detained following an interview at the offices of the newspaper El Informador in Barquisimeto.
Opposition delegation head Dinorah Figuera said on X, “During the installation of the second cycle of the dialogue table, we learned of the arbitrary detention of the former Mayor of Carora, Javier Oropeza.”
“We immediately denounced the case, demanded his release, and they have committed to carrying out all the necessary procedures for his prompt release,” she said. “We will remain vigilant until it is fulfilled; all political prisoners must be released.”
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) condemned Oropeza’s arrest. “After committing to release political prisoners and allow the return of exiles, Delcy and Diosdado have just imprisoned opposition leader and former mayor Javier Oropeza again, who had returned to his country just two days ago,” he wrote. “These lying thugs have shown that they are not trustworthy and that ‘negotiating’ with them is nothing more than a lost cause.”
“It’s time for the regime to hand over Diosdado Cabello, who faces criminal charges and has a multi-million dollar reward for his capture,” Gimenez declared.
Exiled opposition leader Maria Corina Machado also condemned Oropeza’s arrest, stating, “Javier returned to Venezuela just two days ago, after two years of harsh forced exile due to the persecution he endured along with his family and his work team in 2024.”
“This is the nature of this regime,” she noted. “That’s why the entire country despises them. And that’s why we’re going to defeat them.”
The United States resumed diplomatic relations with Venezuela earlier this year. “The United States and Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations. This step will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela,” the State Department said in March. “Our engagement is focused on helping the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government.”
