The residence of the Argentine ambassador in Caracas, Venezuela, stands largely silent these days. Gone are the usual diplomatic conversations and festive Christmas carols, replaced only by the hum of a small diesel generator, which the few remaining occupants use twice daily to charge their phones. The rest of the time, the mansion is eerily still, with its few inhabitants preoccupied with solitary tasks, resembling a large prison with only a handful of inmates.
Following the expulsion of the Argentine ambassador by the Venezuelan government after President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in the disputed July presidential election, the compound no longer hosts any diplomats. Instead, five members of the Venezuelan opposition, all aligned with opposition leader María Corina Machado, have been sheltering there for over nine months. They now describe themselves as being under “siege” by Venezuelan security forces.
“The pressure from the government has been escalating in recent weeks. We’re subjected to psychological torture, constant surveillance, and no one can visit us without authorization… the spiritual toll is enormous,” said one of the asylum seekers, Omar González, during a virtual press conference earlier this month.
Following the controversial election in July, the opposition campaign released tens of thousands of voting receipts, claiming they proved their candidate, Edmundo González, had won. Independent observers and electoral experts have questioned the official results, with some suggesting the receipts appear legitimate.
Edmundo González, who fled the country and now lives in exile in Spain, has pledged to return to Venezuela in January to inaugurate his own government, although it remains unclear how he could enter the country without facing prosecution. Meanwhile, Maduro is set to begin a new presidential term on January 10.
In March, six opposition members, including Machado’s allies, were accused of terrorism and treason for their involvement with her. Machado herself went into hiding for her safety after the election. While Maduro’s government has denied blocking the diplomatic residence, it has stated that the opposition group will eventually face arrest.
Machado’s team insists they have done nothing wrong but are certain they would be arrested if they left the compound.
“These six civilians, political activists, have committed no crime other than fighting for a free Venezuela. We are isolated and threatened, and each day the situation worsens,” González added.
