Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Rescued, Arrive in U.S.

Five prominent Venezuelan opposition figures, who had spent over a year seeking refuge in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas to evade arrest by President Nicolás Maduro's government, have safely arrived in the United States following a coordinated operation led by U.S. authorities. The group, closely associated with opposition leader María Corina Machado, faced constant harassment and surveillance from Venezuelan security forces during their stay at the embassy, including reported disruptions of utilities and restricted access to basic necessities. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Machado both described the operation as a successful and 'impeccable' rescue, expressing gratitude to all who contributed. The extraction took place amid ongoing international criticism of the Maduro regime for its repression of political dissent and human rights violations. The move highlights continued tensions between the Venezuelan government and the U.S., as well as the precarious situation for opposition members in Venezuela. There has been no official response from the Maduro regime regarding the operation.