Venezuelan opposition leaders are urging international efforts to address the challenging situation for five asylum seekers at Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas, who are lacking essential utilities. They warn of a deteriorating condition at the Embassy and call for an international diplomatic response to what they term a siege. The report sheds light on the continued struggles between Venezuela and Argentina amidst escalating tensions.
Venezuelan opposition leaders, María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, have urged the international community to condemn the alleged siege on Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas. They reported increasing difficulties for five political figures sheltering there, asserting these individuals have been deprived of basic utilities since November, as the Embassy’s generator nears failure.
González Urrutia emphasized during an Instagram interview that such actions would typically provoke international outcry, stating, “In Venezuela, the diplomatic community must reject these measures.” Machado, who is currently in hiding, reinforced the urgency of the situation, calling on diplomats to advocate for those in the Embassy.
Initially, six individuals had sought refuge, but one returned to authorities in December. Currently, five remain protected under asylum in the Embassy, which lacks official diplomatic staff since last August due to severed relations stemming from Argentina’s criticism of Maduro’s presidency.
Venezuela’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, rejected the notion of a siege, attributing the utility cuts to payment issues. Brazil briefly considered managing the Embassy’s affairs but later had to retract its decision as the Venezuelan government denied the arrangement. Furthermore, tensions escalated after Nahuel Agustín Gallo, an Argentine security officer, was detained under terrorism accusations, prompting calls for his release from both his family and the Argentine government.
The Venezuelan opposition is urging the international community to address the dire situation regarding asylum seekers at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, highlighting a lack of essential services. The calls for action emphasize the diplomatic responsibilities of other nations while reflecting the tense atmosphere between Venezuela and Argentina. As the region’s diplomatic relations continue to be fraught, the plight of those seeking asylum remains critical.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar