**Five Venezuelan Opposition Figures Rescued from Caracas and Brought to US**

Five political figures previously sheltered at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas have been evacuated amid ongoing tensions with the Maduro government.

Five Venezuelan political figures have been successfully evacuated from the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas to the United States following what U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as a “successful rescue” operation. The figures, long opposed to President Nicolás Maduro and facing possible arrest, had taken refuge in the embassy since last year as Venezuelan forces surrounded the location.

In a post on social media platform X, Rubio expressed gratitude for the successful operation that freed the hostages, stating that they are now safe on American soil. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado praised the action, referring to it as an extraordinary effort that liberated “five heroes.” The operation reportedly had the support of the government of Argentina, led by President Javier Milei, which has been critical of the disputed electoral process that allowed Maduro to secure a third term.

The Argentinian foreign ministry conveyed its appreciation to the U.S. for the operation, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding asylum seekers. The five individuals, whose identities were confirmed but not stated by Rubio, include Magalli Meda, Pedro Urruchurtu, Omar Gonzalez, Humberto Villalobos, and Claudia Macero. The release comes after a year-long standoff where the opposition members accused Venezuelan state forces of cutting off essential services at the embassy, effectively placing them under siege.

During this period, the Maduro government justified their actions by claiming to have evidence of "terrorist activities" against the president, which they cited as a reason for their aggressive stance towards the embassy. The U.S. has labeled the actions taken by Venezuelan forces as violations of international law and has called for an end to what it describes as intimidation tactics.

Despite the success of this operation, the exact details surrounding the escape remain unclear, raising questions about the method and level of U.S. involvement in the extraction. Relations between Venezuela and various nations, including Argentina and Brazil, remain strained following the recent elections and ongoing allegations of election manipulation. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in Venezuela.