Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Pablo Guanipa Under House Arrest After Recent Kidnapping

Wed Feb 11 2026 01:23:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent Venezuelan opposition politician, is under house arrest following a violent kidnapping by security forces. His son emphasizes the need for his full freedom as the opposition voices concerns about ongoing repression.

Juan Pablo Guanipa, a leader within Venezuela's opposition, has been placed under house arrest after being kidnapped by unidentified security forces shortly after his release from prison. His family and political allies, including María Corina Machado, have criticized the government's actions and called for further international support to secure Guanipa's freedom. The situation highlights the complexities of Venezuela's political landscape, with opposition leaders facing severe risks amidst ongoing repression.

Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent Venezuelan opposition politician, has returned home after being captured by security forces on Sunday, but is currently under house arrest, according to his son, Ramón Guanipa.

Ramón expressed relief over his father's return, while also noting that Guanipa remains unjustly imprisoned. The incident unfolded in Caracas, where the country’s opposition leader María Corina Machado claimed that Guanipa was seized by heavily armed men shortly after he and other political prisoners had been set free.

The Venezuelan Interior and Justice Minister, Diosdado Cabello, indicated that Guanipa was rearrested for violating the conditions of his previous release, asserting, Some politicians believed they could do whatever they wanted.

Guanipa, a former vice-president of the National Assembly, spent eight months in prison and was among many political detainees released following a series of actions against President Nicolás Maduro's regime. According to Ramón, his father had initially regained freedom around 11:00 local time on Sunday but was quickly taken again by security forces who did not identify themselves formally.

During an interview with the BBC, Ramón indicated that he had been informed his father would return home but was not given any details regarding his transportation back. On social media, Ramón confirmed Guanipa's presence at their home in Maracaibo, emphasizing the ongoing injustice of house arrest, which he stated, is still imprisonment.

He expressed gratitude to the U.S. government, particularly President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for supporting the cause of freedom in Venezuela. Meanwhile, Guanipa's party condemned the kidnapping and called for international pressure to ensure his and other political prisoners' release.

The opposition continues to grapple with the risks associated with openly challenging the Maduro regime, which has systematically targeted political activists, viewing detentions as a tool to silence dissent.