Former First Vice President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Pablo Guanipa, who was rearrested after being released from a previous arrest under Nicolás Maduro’s regime, was released after much public outcry and pressure from the U.S.
“I confirm that my father, Juan Pablo Guanipa, is at my home in Maracaibo. We are relieved to know that my family will be together soon,” Guanipa’s son Ramón shared in a post on X.
Ramón thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their work in helping to secure the release of Juan Pablo and other Venezuelan political prisoners.
Juan Pablo’s son concluded his post by claiming that his father remains in prison as Guanipa is still being held under house arrest and that he “demands his [father’s] full freedom.”
“My father remains unjustly imprisoned, because house arrest is still prison, and we demand his full freedom and that of all political prisoners,” Ramón concluded.
In response to Guanipa’s release from prison, Florida Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (R) shared a post on X expressing relief for Guanipa’s safety and gratitude towards the Trump administration.
“Relieved that Juan Pablo Guanipa is back home after a forced disappearance by the regime,” Rep. Díaz-Balart wrote. “President Trump does not play games. Grateful to the President and Secretary Rubio for their unwavering solidarity in defending freedom alongside the Venezuelan people.”
“The United States is watching closely and will not lose sight of the regime’s actions. We will continue to demand accountability,” he concluded.
Previously, Florida politicians called out the Venezuelan government and its interim head, Delcy Rodriguez, demanding Guanipa’s release.
“The interim dictator Delcy Rodríguez is very mistaken if she thinks she can mock the United States so shamelessly. From the United States Congress, we demand the immediate release of Juan Pablo Guanipa,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R) shared on X.
Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) released a statement demanding the release of Guanipa and other political prisoners arrested under Maduro’s rule.
“Delcy Rodríguez and Diosdado Cabello, listen up. Right after you released Juan Pablo Guanipa, you rearrested him. That's not the deal, all right? The deal is you release the political prisoners, and you cooperate with the United States. Right? And you stop oppressing these people. That's how you work with the United States. We are watching,” Scott shared on social media.
