WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a bold and quietly executed operation, five Venezuelan dissidents who had been trapped for over a year inside the shut-down Argentine embassy in Caracas are now safe on American soil. The dramatic rescue was confirmed Tuesday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who praised the success of the mission and took direct aim at the socialist dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.
“The U.S. welcomes the successful rescue of all hostages held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas,” Rubio said. “Following a precise operation, all hostages are now safely on U.S. soil. Maduro’s illegitimate regime has undermined Venezuela’s institutions, violated human rights, and endangered our regional security.”
Though the U.S. has not officially released details about the mission, multiple Argentine news outlets, including Infobae, have reported that it was a U.S.-led military operation, planned and executed with surgical precision.
“We extend our gratitude to all personnel involved in this operation and to our partners who assisted in securing the safe liberation of these Venezuelan heroes,” Rubio added.
The five freed Venezuelans — Pedro Urruchurtu, Magallí Meda, Claudia Macero, Humberto Villalobos, and Ómar González — are close allies of María Corina Machado, leader of Vente Venezuela, the country’s only significant center-right political party.
Back in March 2024, these dissidents sought asylum at the Argentine embassy after the Maduro regime issued arrest warrants for them as part of its “Bolivarian Fury” campaign — a sweeping crackdown targeting political opponents.
Originally, there were six individuals sheltering in the embassy. The sixth, Fernando Martínez Mottola, a 70-year-old political veteran, turned himself in to Maduro’s authorities in December, likely under duress. He died from a stroke in prison just two months later — a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by those resisting tyranny in Venezuela.
During the 14-month standoff, Maduro’s regime made life unbearable for those inside the embassy. His government refused to grant them safe passage and placed the building under a near-military siege: cutting off water and power, removing the fuse box, and sending regime loyalists to harass the dissidents regularly.
After Venezuela severed diplomatic ties with Argentina in the aftermath of Maduro’s fraudulent July 2024 “re-election,” Brazil briefly stepped in to protect the embassy and the dissidents. But that, too, was short-lived. A month later, Maduro revoked Brazil’s permission, leaving the dissidents stranded with nowhere to turn.
Maduro’s crackdown was emboldened by the Biden administration’s decision to hand over a package of oil and gas sanctions relief in exchange for vague promises of democratic reform. Predictably, Maduro took the deal, pocketed the benefits, and then rigged the July 28, 2024, presidential election.
With no independent oversight or verified results, Maduro declared himself the winner and immediately intensified his war against dissidents. The opposition’s candidate, Edmundo González, fled to Spain. María Corina Machado — who had been banned from running — remains in hiding, facing constant threats of arrest.
The successful rescue of the five dissidents involved coordination between the U.S., Argentina, and unnamed allies. Argentine President Javier Milei released a statement celebrating the rescue and directly thanked Secretary Rubio for his personal involvement.
“This action represents an important step in defense of freedom in the region,” said Milei. “We deeply appreciate the efforts made to ensure the safety and well-being of those who for a long time were under Argentine protection from persecution by the regime of Nicolás Maduro.”
Milei’s statement also renewed calls for the release of Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine gendarme still detained by Maduro’s regime:
“His freedom is a priority for this government and we will not stop until it is achieved.”
Opposition leader María Corina Machado celebrated the rescue in a post on social media, hailing it as a turning point in the struggle for Venezuelan freedom.
“An impeccable and epic operation for the freedom of five heroes of Venezuela,” she wrote. “My infinite recognition and gratitude to all those who made it possible. We will free each of our 900 heroes imprisoned by this tyranny and 30 million Venezuelans! And with Freedom, will come irreversible change to a Venezuela of Prosperity, Justice, and Peace!”
This rescue not only brought long-awaited freedom to five brave dissidents — it delivered a powerful message to Nicolás Maduro and his socialist dictatorship: the United States and its allies are not backing down.
