Head of Security for Venezuelan Opposition Leader Arrested Ahead of Presidential Election
Milciades Ávila, the head of security for Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, was arrested at a house he was staying at in the capital, Caracas, on Wednesday morning. Members of the Vente Venezuela opposition party confirmed the detention, stating that Ávila was taken away by Venezuelan security forces.
This arrest comes as the opposition gears up for the presidential election on 28 July, in which they hope to unseat the incumbent, Nicolás Maduro. Several opposition activists have been detained in the lead-up to the election, raising concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
According to Ms. Machado, Ávila was accused of gender violence, with his arrest allegedly linked to an incident where women attempted to attack her and the opposition presidential candidate, Edmundo González. She claims the incident was a deliberate provocation designed to leave her without protection just days before the election.
The opposition has faced ongoing harassment by the authorities, with dozens of campaign team members being arrested and businesses associated with the opposition leaders being shut down. Foro Penal, a non-governmental organization, reports that over 100 people linked to the opposition have been detained in the lead-up to the election, highlighting a systematic effort to restrict the rights of Venezuelan citizens.
Despite concerns about potential election tampering, opinion polls show Edmundo González leading President Maduro by a significant margin. The opposition coalition is urging supporters to turn out to vote, emphasizing the importance of unity to prevent fraud and ensure a fair electoral process.
