Venezuelan Opposition Leader Kidnapped Hours After Release

Mon Feb 09 2026 10:21:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure and leader of the Justice First party, has reportedly been kidnapped just hours after his release from detention, raising concerns about the safety of political dissidents in the country.

Juan Pablo Guanipa, leader of Venezuela's Justice First party, was reportedly kidnapped by armed men immediately following his release from detention. This incident highlights the ongoing issues of political repression under Nicolás Maduro's government, with opposition leaders calling for international intervention. Guanipa, who had spent eight months in prison prior to his release, is now missing, leading to fears for his safety.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado reported that her colleague, Juan Pablo Guanipa, was kidnapped just hours after being freed from custody. Guanipa, who leads the Justice First party, was taken in the Los Chorros neighbourhood of Caracas as heavily armed individuals dressed in civilian clothing forced him into a vehicle.

Guanipa, a former vice-president of the National Assembly, had spent eight months imprisoned and was among numerous political prisoners released following recent shifts in power dynamics, notably the seizure of power from Nicolás Maduro.

His party described the kidnapping as an action by the repressive forces of the dictatorship, emphasizing that armed men pointed guns at Guanipa's companions before he was taken. The Justice First party's statement on social media expressed their accountability stance toward government officials, specifically Delcy Rodríguez, Jorge Rodríguez, and Diosdado Cabello, for any potential harm to Guanipa.

This abduction underscores ongoing tensions and fears surrounding the safety of political activists in Venezuela. The party is now pleading for the international community to demand Guanipa's immediate release and address the systematic persecution of political opposition.

Earlier, Guanipa's family expressed relief at his release, with his son Ramón posting on social media about the imminent family reunion. Guanipa's release and subsequent kidnapping come amid a broader backdrop of unrest and human rights concerns in Venezuela, where opposition figures have faced persecution for years.

Following his prior detention, Guanipa had been vocal in opposition to the Maduro government's actions, including contesting the legitimacy of the 2024 election results, leading to charges of terrorism and treason against him.