BTN News: On Thursday, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said her security chief, Milciades Ávila, was freed just a day after his arrest. The arrest and quick release of Ávila add more tension to the already heated political situation in Venezuela. This happens as the country gets ready for its presidential elections. Machado said the regime broke the law by detaining Ávila and using force to enter his home. This sparked many reactions from the public and politicians.
Details of the Arrest and Accusations Against Ávila
Milciades Ávila was taken early Wednesday morning. He was accused of gender-based violence. This accusation comes from an incident where women tried to attack Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia. Urrutia is the leading opposition candidate for the July 28 presidential elections. Machado talked about the event on her social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. She condemned the regime’s actions as a clear violation of the law.
Release of Ávila and Legal Conditions He Must Follow
Machado shared the news of Ávila’s release with her followers on X. She thanked everyone who supported the campaign for his freedom. “We have just welcomed our colleague Milciades Ávila back to our headquarters,” she wrote. She also said this victory is important in their fight against injustice. Ávila must now report to a Maracay court every 30 days. His lawyer, Omar Mora Tosta, is hopeful they can prove the accusations against Ávila are false.
Political Context and Tensions as Elections Near
Ávila’s arrest happened in the middle of a heated political time before the presidential elections. Recent polls show that González Urrutia is ahead of President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro is trying to win a third term. The Maduro regime is accused of targeting opposition figures with arrests and sanctions. They have also closed businesses that supported political candidates and taken campaign equipment. These actions have been condemned by non-governmental organizations and international observers as the election date gets closer.
Opposition and Regime Tactics Leading to Increased Tensions
The opposition group, Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD), says that 72 people have been arrested since the campaign started on July 4. Twenty-four of them are still in custody. These arrests are seen as a way to scare opposition supporters and disrupt the election. Opposition candidate Enrique Márquez has also spoken against the violence toward Machado and her team. He called for democratic practices to be respected.
Machado’s Allegations of Sabotage Against Her Campaign
On Thursday, Machado said there were further attempts to hurt her campaign. She claimed that the brake hoses of one of her campaign vehicles were cut. She said this act crossed a “red line” and accused the chavista regime of using brute force as support for González Urrutia grows. González Urrutia, who has been sick with a cold, agreed with Machado. He called the actions against her intolerable cowardice. He asked the National Electoral Council (CNE) to take action to ensure a fair election process.
Conclusion
The events in Venezuela show the intense fight between the opposition and the Maduro regime as the presidential elections get closer. The release of Milciades Ávila is an important moment for María Corina Machado and her supporters. But, the ongoing political arrests and alleged sabotage raise questions about the fairness of the upcoming elections. As tensions increase, people hope for a peaceful and democratic solution to the conflict in Venezuela.
